Wildlife

Swallow Welfare in Farm Buildings

Swallows nest inside traditional farm buildings and are closely associated with livestock farming, facing welfare pressures from building modernisation and insect decline.

Key Facts

Nests inside open farm buildings, barns, and stables
UK breeding population around 1.6 million pairs
Arrives April, departs September-October
Feeds on insects associated with livestock and pasture
Population declined 37 percent since 1995

Welfare Considerations

Closure and modernisation of traditional farm buildings removes nesting sites. Reduced livestock numbers and indoor housing of cattle reduces farmyard insect populations that swallows depend on. Pesticide use on farmland suppresses aerial insect prey populations.

What You Can Do

Keep traditional farm buildings accessible to swallows
Install swallow nest platforms inside barns
Maintain mixed livestock farming to support insect populations
Reduce pesticide use on farmland near nesting sites