Farm Animals

Pig Farrowing System Design and Welfare

Comparative welfare assessment of farrowing systems from crates to loose housing alternatives.

Key Facts

Farrowing crates prevent sows from performing nesting and maternal behaviours
Loose farrowing systems improve sow welfare but require careful piglet protection
Straw-based loose farrowing achieves comparable piglet mortality to crates with good management
EU is phasing out farrowing crates as part of welfare legislation reform
Design of loose farrowing pens significantly affects sow and piglet welfare outcomes

Welfare Considerations

Farrowing crates prevent fundamental maternal behaviours and represent one of the most significant welfare restrictions in modern pig production.

What You Can Do

Support the EU farrowing crate phase-out through political advocacy
Choose higher welfare pork from farms using loose farrowing systems
Encourage pig producers to invest in loose farrowing system design