Gestation sow housing is one of the most contested areas of farm animal welfare. Individual stalls restrict movement and natural behaviour significantly, driving welfare reform across Europe.
Individual sow stalls cause severe welfare compromise through movement restriction — sows cannot turn around, groom themselves effectively, or express normal social behaviour. Stereotypic behaviours including bar-biting develop as a welfare indicator. Group housing addresses movement restriction but creates aggression risks — mixing strategies and ESF systems that allow individual feeding reduce but do not eliminate competition-driven welfare impacts. The transition to group housing represents genuine welfare progress while ongoing research improves group management.