Pig Farming

Pig Farrowing Crate Alternatives and Neonatal Safety

Farrowing crate alternatives can achieve comparable piglet mortality to crates while significantly improving sow welfare and natural behaviour.

Key Facts

Farrowing crates prevent sows from turning around or performing nesting behaviour
Alternative systems including pens with crush zones achieve similar piglet mortality rates
Sow selection for maternal behaviour improves performance in crate-free systems
EU countries including Sweden and Norway have operated without crates for decades
Consumer demand for crate-free pork is driving investment in alternative systems

Welfare Considerations

Farrowing crates cause significant suffering through restriction of movement over the 3-5 week farrowing period. Research shows well-designed alternative systems protect piglets while allowing sow welfare to be prioritised. Transitioning requires investment in housing design and stockperson training, but is demonstrably achievable.

What You Can Do

Choose pork certified as produced without farrowing crates
Support legislation phasing out farrowing crates with realistic timelines
Ask supermarkets about their farrowing crate-free sourcing commitments