Pigs are intelligent, highly social animals, yet many sows (female pigs) around the world are treated as piglet-producing units at factory farms that use intensive confinement systems. These sows suffer through rapid cycles of impregnation, giving birth, and nursing.
During their four-month pregnancies, many are kept in “gestation crates,” individual metal stalls only 2 feet (0.6 meters) wide by 7 feet (2.1 meters) long. These crates are so small the animals can’t even turn around. Shortly before giving birth, they are moved into similarly restrictive “farrowing crates.”
Crated sows aren’t able to engage in important natural behaviors, such as rooting, foraging, nest-building, grazing, wallowing, and practicing social behaviors. As a result of the intensive confinement, sows suffer psychological stress as well as a number of physical harms, including urinary infections, weakened bones, overgrown hooves, and lameness.
We are making significant progress with our campaign to eliminate gestation crates.
Speak up for farm animals
More than 94.9 billion farmed animals are kept and killed for food each year, causing immense animal suffering and releasing greenhouse gas emissions at levels on par with all cars, planes, trains and boats around the world combined. We need to prevent the suffering of animals on factory farms and protect the world around us.
Giovanni Tesei/Humane World for Animals
A vast majority of Italians want farmed animals treated better—so the country is taking steps to make it happen.
Christopher Shoebridge
“We just can’t justify putting sows in farrowing crates any more.” – a British farm manager shares insights into the impact of confinement for sows, and perspective on how the sector must change HSI...
Sally Ivens/Humane World for Animals UK
LONDON— Two mother pigs, who have spent around a quarter of their adult lives confined in metal cages barely bigger than their bodies, have been rescued from slaughter and rehomed by leading animal...
You can help farm animals
Animals on factory farms never breathe fresh air or feel grass beneath their feet. Your generous gift will support our efforts to improve their lives and other animals in need.
S. Chakrabarti/