The farrowing crate—a small metal cage confining the sow around farrowing—is the most controversial restriction in pig welfare, preventing natural maternal behaviour while reducing piglet crushing mortality. Finding welfare-positive alternatives is a major research and industry priority.
Farrowing crates typically confine sows to 60cm × 180cm spaces from 3-7 days before farrowing until 3-4 weeks after, when piglets are weaned. The crate prevents the sow turning and lying rapidly, reducing the risk of piglet crushing (pre-weaning mortality of 8-15% in commercial systems). However, crates prevent nest building, turning, socialisation with piglets, and all normal maternal behaviours—causing significant welfare compromise for a highly motivated maternal behaviour system.
Research demonstrates that sows are highly motivated to build nests before farrowing—deprived of nesting material, they show frustrated nesting behaviour for hours. Cortisol levels before farrowing are substantially lower when sows can build nests. The emotional significance of thwarted nesting motivation represents genuine welfare compromise beyond simple physical restriction.
Temporary crating systems (sows confined only during farrowing and for a few days after, then freed within a larger farrowing pen) reduce confinement while maintaining some crushing protection. Free farrowing pens with anti-crush features (sloped walls, piglet escape areas, shallow design) demonstrate that piglet mortality can be managed at acceptable levels without crates when pen design is optimised and stockperson skills are high. Danish welfare organisations target complete crate elimination.
Transitioning away from farrowing crates requires: development and validation of alternative pen designs for commercial conditions; stockperson training in alternative system management; economic assessment of higher capital costs and potential productivity changes; and phased regulatory timelines allowing industry adaptation. Several European countries have committed to phase-out timelines. Consumer and retailer welfare commitments are creating market pull for higher-welfare farrowing systems.