Throughout the UK, mother pigs are confined to extremely restrictive metal cages, known as farrowing crates, for up to five weeks each time they give birth. These crates are so restrictive that the sows can only stand up or lie down, sometimes with difficulty. She cannot turn around, interact with her piglets beyond nursing them through the metal bars, nor exercise her natural instincts, such as nest-buildling.
Currently, around 40% of UK sows are not kept in crates. However, it is crucial that the UK governments implement legislation to achieve a 100% crate-free environment.
