Farrowing crate

A farrowing crate is a restrictive metal enclosure used in intensive pig farming to house a sow during the period immediately before and after she gives birth. Found in the majority of commercial pork production facilities globally, these crates are designed to separate the mother from her piglets while allowing them to nurse through bars. The space is typically only slightly larger than the sow's body, preventing her from turning around or walking, and is intended to manage large-scale litters efficiently.

In industrial practice, a sow is moved into the crate approximately one week before farrowing and remains there for three to four weeks until the piglets are weaned. The primary mechanical justification is the prevention of crushing, as modern domestic sows have been bred for extreme size and large litter numbers, making accidental overlaying a risk. The crate features a slatted floor for waste management and a heated creep area for the piglets, though it severely restricts the sow's natural nesting instincts and physical mobility.

For the consumer, the presence of farrowing crates in a supply chain is a primary indicator of intensive confinement standards. While the industry argues these devices are essential for piglet survival rates, animal welfare advocates highlight the significant psychological distress and physical sores caused by prolonged immobilization. Choosing products with specific high-welfare certifications or 'crate-free' labels is the only way to ensure a mother pig was able to move freely and perform natural maternal behaviors during the nursing period.