Pig Welfare: Group Gestation Housing and Sow Social Needs

The EU ban on sow stalls in gestation has driven a shift to group housing systems, presenting both welfare improvements and new management challenges.

Key Facts

Individual sow stalls for gestation were banned in the EU from 2013 except during the first 4 weeks
Group housing allows sows to express social behaviour and perform a wider range of natural behaviours
Feed competition and aggression are primary welfare challenges in group housing systems
Electronic sow feeding systems can reduce competition and monitor individual intake
UK law requires group housing for pregnant sows but standards vary considerably in practice

Welfare Considerations

While group housing represents a fundamental welfare improvement over individual confinement, poorly managed group systems can cause significant welfare problems through aggression, feed competition, and social stress. Mixing unfamiliar sows generates fighting and injuries, particularly to ears, vulvas, and legs. Subordinate sows may be chronically underfed in competitive group feeding systems. Proper design of housing, feeding systems, and group management protocols is essential to realise the welfare benefits of group housing. High-quality group gestation housing with adequate space, appropriate enrichment, and individual feeding represents the gold standard for sow welfare.

What You Can Do

Choose pork from producers using high-welfare group gestation housing systems
Support welfare certification that includes specific standards for sow group housing
Advocate for minimum space requirements and enrichment standards in group housing regulations