Farrowing crates severely restrict sow movement and natural maternal behaviour, with welfare-positive alternatives now proven commercially viable and increasingly required by retailers.
The farrowing crate causes severe welfare compromise in one of the most highly motivated behavioural states an animal can experience — the nesting and maternal period. Sows are prevented from building nests, moving freely, and positioning themselves naturally for piglet care. Behavioural frustration indicators including repeated bar-biting and restless movements indicate significant negative welfare states. Commercially proven free-farrowing systems including the PigSAFE pen and Freedom Farrowing system demonstrate that sow welfare can be substantially improved without prohibitive losses in piglet mortality when managed correctly.