Sow welfare is a major focus of pig industry reform, with gestation stall bans in the UK contrasting with continued use in many other countries.
Despite gestation stall bans, farrowing crate confinement for 4-5 weeks per litter remains standard practice. The crate prevents the sow from turning around or performing nest-building behaviour, causing significant welfare impairment. Free farrowing and loose farrowing systems are commercially available alternatives but adoption remains limited.