Pig Sow Welfare: Farrowing Crate Confinement and Alternatives

Farrowing crates prevent sow movement during the weeks around birth, causing significant welfare problems from confinement while protecting piglets from crushing, with alternative systems being actively developed.

Key Facts

Farrowing crates are metal frames that prevent sows from turning around or lying down freely
They are used for approximately 3-5 weeks around farrowing to prevent sow-crushing of piglets
Crushing is the most common cause of pre-weaning piglet mortality, accounting for up to 50 percent of deaths
Several EU countries and UK regions are moving toward free-farrowing systems
Alternative systems including loose-housing with piglet protection bars are commercially available

Welfare Considerations

Sows confined in farrowing crates experience severe restriction of movement that prevents natural nesting behavior, social interaction, and postural changes. The inability to perform pre-farrowing nesting behavior, which is a highly motivated behavioral need, causes frustration and stress. Extended confinement causes muscle atrophy, foot and leg problems, and psychological distress. Sows in crates show higher cortisol levels and abnormal behaviors compared to loose-housed animals. The welfare compromise is prolonged, lasting weeks for each litter across multiple reproductive cycles over the sow's working life.

What You Can Do

Choose pork products certified by high-welfare schemes that require free-farrowing systems
Support legislative campaigns to ban conventional farrowing crates across the EU and UK
Ask supermarkets about their commitments to free-farrowing in their supply chains
Support research into free-farrowing systems that maintain good piglet survival rates
Reduce pork consumption overall and prioritize welfare-labeled products when purchasing