Gestation crate

A gestation crate, also known as a sow stall, is a metal enclosure used in intensive pig farming to house individual breeding sows during their four-month pregnancy. These crates are typically constructed from steel bars and measure approximately two feet wide by seven feet long, roughly the size of the animal's body. They are found primarily in large-scale industrial pork production facilities where maximizing space efficiency and controlling individual caloric intake are prioritized over the animal's freedom of movement.

In practice, the sow is confined to this space for nearly the entire duration of her pregnancy, unable to turn around or walk. The flooring is usually slatted concrete to allow waste to fall through into pits below. This confinement prevents aggressive competition for food between sows and allows farmers to monitor health closely. However, the lack of physical activity and inability to perform natural behaviors, such as nesting or rooting, often leads to physical ailments like foot injuries and psychological distress manifested as repetitive stereotypic behaviors.

For consumers, the presence of gestation crates in a supply chain is a significant indicator of animal welfare standards. While many large retailers and several US states have pledged to phase them out in favor of group housing, the transition is incomplete and varies by region. Choosing pork labeled as 'crate-free' or 'pasture-raised' ensures the animal had more space, though shoppers should be aware that 'crate-free' during pregnancy does not always mean the animal was free from farrowing crates during birth.