Farm Animals

Farmed Pig Group Sow Housing: Welfare in Dynamic Groups

Dynamic group housing for sows presents welfare challenges from aggression that require management strategies to minimise harm.

Key Facts

EU law requires group housing for sows from 4 weeks after service to 1 week before farrowing
Dynamic groups add new sows continuously, causing repeated establishment of dominance hierarchies
Static groups that are fixed in composition show lower aggression once hierarchies are established
Escape routes, visual barriers, and adequate space per sow reduce aggression injury rates

Welfare Considerations

Dynamic group housing causes repeated acute aggression events as hierarchies reform with new additions. Static groups that remain unchanged after establishment show significantly lower injury rates. Management choices within the legal requirement for group housing significantly affect welfare outcomes.

What You Can Do

Support pig welfare schemes requiring static rather than dynamic group composition
Advocate for guidance on optimal group housing design as part of welfare certification
Choose pork from farms demonstrating low injury rates in group sow housing