There are animal welfare concerns about the continued use of permanent crating systems for farrowing and lactating sows, which is the most prevalent maternity system in global pig production. Greater societal attention in recent years has culminated in changes (or proposed changes) to regulations as well as market-driven initiatives to move away from crated systems. Transitioning from farrowing crates to systems that allow the sow greater freedom of movement and behavioral expression requires a number of key decisions, with various trade-offs apparent when trying to balance the needs of different stakeholders. This review discusses these decisions based on common questions asked by farmers, policy makers and other stakeholders when deciding on a new system to build/approve. Based on the latest scientific evidence and practical insight, decisions such as: whether to retrofit an existing barn or build a new one, what spatial dimensions are necessary per sow place, whether to adopt free farrowing or temporary crating, how to provide substrate/enrichment and be hygienic and environmentally friendly, and how to optimize the human inputs and transition between systems are considered. The aim of this paper is to provide a roadmap for those interested in uptake of higher welfare systems and practices, as well as to highlight areas requiring further optimization and research.

Animal Behaviour and Welfare Animal and Veterinary Sciences Group Scotland's Rural College Edinburgh United Kingdom

Department of Ethology Institute of Animal Science Prague Czechia

ETH Zurich Animal Physiology Institute of Agricultural Sciences Zurich Switzerland

Faculty of Agrobiology Food and Natural Resources Czech University of Life Sciences Prague Prague Czechia

School of Natural and Environmental Sciences Newcastle University Newcastle upon Tyne United Kingdom

SEGES Innovation Aarhus Denmark

Zobrazit více v PubMed

Baxter EM, Andersen IL, Edwards SA. Sow welfare in the farrowing crate and alternatives. In:M Spinka. editor, Advances in Pig Welfare. (2018). p. 27–72. 10.1016/B978-0-08-101012-9.00002-2 PubMed DOI

Compassion in World Farming . End the Cage Age. CIWF. (2018). Available online at: https://www.endthecageage.eu/ (accessed October 3, 2022).

EFSA, AHAW, Nielsen SS, Alvarez J, Bicout DJ, Calistri P, et al. . Welfare of pigs on farm. EFSA J. (2022) 20:e07421. 10.2903/j.efsa.2022.7421 PubMed DOI PMC

Baxter EM, Lawrence AB, Edwards SA. Alternative farrowing systems: design criteria for farrowing systems based on the biological needs of sows and piglets. Animal. (2011) 5:580–600. 10.1017/S1751731110002272 PubMed DOI

Pedersen LJ, Malmkvist J, Andersen HML. Housing of sows during farrowing: a review on pen design, welfare and productivity. In: Livestock Housing: Modern Management to Ensure Optimal Health and Welfare of Farm Animals. Wageningen: Wageningen Academic Publishers. (2013). p. 93–111. 10.3920/978-90-8686-771-4_05 DOI

Glencorse D, Plush K, Hazel S, D'souza D, Hebart M. Impact of non-confinement accommodation on farrowing performance: a systematic review and meta-analysis of farrowing crates versus pens. Animals. (2019) 9:957. 10.3390/ani9110957 PubMed DOI PMC

Goumon S, Illmann G, Moustsen VA, Baxter EM, Edwards SA. Review of temporary crating of farrowing and lactating sows. Front Vet Sci. (2022) 9:811810. 10.3389/fvets.2022.811810 PubMed DOI PMC

Baxter EM, Lawrence AB, Edwards SA. Alternative farrowing accommodation: welfare and economic aspects of existing farrowing and lactation systems for pigs. Animal. (2012) 6:96–117. 10.1017/S1751731111001224 PubMed DOI

Pedersen ML, Moustsen VA, Nielsen MBF, Kristensen AR. Improved udder access prolongs duration of milk let-down and increases piglet weight gain. Livest Sci. (2011) 140:253–61. 10.1016/j.livsci.2011.04.001 DOI

Martin JE, Ison SH, Baxter EM. The influence of neonatal environment on piglet play behaviour and post-weaning social and cognitive development. Appl Anim Behav Sci. (2015) 163:69–79. 10.1016/j.applanim.2014.11.022 DOI

Kinane O, Butler F, O'Driscoll K. Freedom to grow: improving sow welfare also benefits piglets. Animals. (2021) 11:1181. 10.3390/ani11041181 PubMed DOI PMC

Oliviero C, Peltoniemi O. Troubled process of parturition of the domestic pig. In:Aral F, Payan-Carreira R, and Quaresma M. editors. Animal Reproduction in Veterinary Medicine. IntechOpen: (2020). 10.5772/intechopen.94547 DOI

Yun J, Swan KM, Vienola K, Kim YY, Oliviero C, Peltoniemi OAT, et al. . Farrowing environment has an impact on sow metabolic status and piglet colostrum intake in early lactation. Livest Sci. (2014) 163:120–5. 10.1016/j.livsci.2014.02.014 DOI

FFL21 . Freedom in Farrowing and Lactation 2021 (FFL21): overcoming barriers, facilitating change. August 12th-13th 2021. In: Freedom in Farrowing and Lactation 2021 (FFL21) Virtual Workshop: Overcoming Barriers, Facilitating Change. (2021). Available online at: www.freefarrowing.org (accessed July 18, 2022).

Weber R, Burla JB, Jossen M, Wechsler B. Piglet losses in free-farrowing pens: influence of litter size. Agrarforschung Schweiz. (2020) 11:53–8. 10.34776/afs11-53e DOI

Sutherland LA, Marchand F. On-farm demonstration: enabling peer-to-peer learning. J Agri Educ Extens. (2021) 27:573–90. 10.1080/1389224X.2021.1959716 DOI

Winkel C, von Meyer-Höfer M, Heise H. Understanding German pig farmers' intentions to design and construct pig housing for the improvement of animal welfare. Animals. (2020) 10:1760. 10.3390/ani10101760 PubMed DOI PMC

Anneberg I, Sørensen JT. Attitudes Motivation for Change That Can Lead to Better Animal Welfare. DCA Report, No. 166, Aarhus University - DCA - National Center for Food Agriculture, Aarhus. (2020). Available online at: https://dcapub.au.dk/djfpublikation/index.asp?action=show&id=1324 (accessed July 18, 2022).

Weary DM, Ventura BA, Von Keyserlingk MAG. Societal views and animal welfare science: understanding why the modified cage may fail and other stories. Animal. (2016) 10:309–17. 10.1017/S1751731115001160 PubMed DOI

Jensen P. Nest building in domestic sows: the role of external stimuli. Anim Behav. (1993) 45:351–8. 10.1006/anbe.1993.1040 DOI

Wu W, Zhang A, van Klinken RD, Schrobback P, Muller JM. Consumer trust in food and the food system: a critical review. Foods. (2021) 10:102490. 10.3390/foods10102490 PubMed DOI PMC

van Nieuwamerongen S, Bolhuis J, van der Peet-Schwering C, Soede N. A review of sow and piglet behaviour and performance in group housing systems for lactating sows. Animal. (2014) 8:448–60. 10.1017/S1751731113002280 PubMed DOI

Federal Agency for Agriculture and Food . Machbarkeitsstudie zur rechtlichen und förderpolitischen Begleitung einer langfristigen Transformation der deutschen Nutztierhaltung. Bonn: (2021).

Moustsen VA, Hales J, Lahrmann HP, Weber PM, Hansen CF. Confinement of lactating sows in crates for 4 days after farrowing reduces piglet mortality. Animal. (2013) 7:648–54. 10.1017/S1751731112002170 PubMed DOI

Hales J, Moustsen VA, Devreese AM, Nielsen MBF, Hansen CF. Comparable farrowing progress in confined and loose housed hyper-prolific sows. Livest Sci. (2015) 171:64–72. 10.1016/j.livsci.2014.11.009 DOI

Ceballos MC, Góis KCR, Parsons TD, Pierdon M. Impact of duration of farrowing crate closure on physical indicators of sow welfare and piglet mortality. Animals. (2021) 11:40969. 10.3390/ani11040969 PubMed DOI PMC

Mack LA, Rossini SP, Leventhal SJ, Parsons TD. Case study: differences in social behaviors and mortality among piglets housed in alternative lactational systems. Prof Anim Sci. (2017) 33:261–75. 10.15232/pas.2016-01564 DOI

Yun J, Han T, Björkman S, Nystén M, Hasan S, Valros A, et al. . Factors affecting piglet mortality during the first 24 h after the onset of parturition in large litters: effects of farrowing housing on behaviour of postpartum sows. Animal. (2019) 13:1045–53. 10.1017/S1751731118002549 PubMed DOI

Moustsen VA, Lahrmann HP, D'Eath RB. Relationship between size and age of modern hyper-prolific crossbred sows. Livest Sci. (2011) 141:272–5. 10.1016/j.livsci.2011.06.008 DOI

Meyer E. Studies on the physical development of breeding sows and consequences for housing in gestation crates. Landtechnik. (2015) 70:9–14. 10.15150/lt.2015.2062 DOI

Nielsen SE, Kristensen AR, Moustsen VA. Litter size of Danish crossbred sows increased without changes in sow body dimensions over a thirteen year period. Livest Sci. (2018) 209:73–6. 10.1016/j.livsci.2018.01.015 DOI

Haxsen G. Calculating Costs of Pig Production with the InterPIG Network. (2008).

AHDB . Pig Buildings and Associated Technology Survey. Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board. (2020). Available online at: https://projectblue.blob.core.windows.net/media/Default/Pork/Documents/Building%20survey%20report.pdf (accessed July 18, 2022).

Lange K, Möller D. Profitability of sow husbandry in organic farming–performance and construction costs for group housing of lactating sows. In: Proceedings of the Second Scientific Conference of the International Society of Organic Agriculture Research (ISOFAR), 18-20 June 2008. Modena, Italy. (2008).

Soede NM, Laurenssen B, Abrahamse-Berkeveld M, Gerritsen R, Dirx-Kuijken NCPMM, Langendijk P, et al. . Timing of lactational oestrus in intermittent suckling regimes: Consequences for sow fertility. Anim Reprod Sci. (2012) 130:74–81. 10.1016/j.anireprosci.2011.12.015 PubMed DOI

Li Y, Johnston L, Hilbrands A. Pre-weaning mortality of piglets in a bedded group-farrowing system. J Swine Heal Prod. (2010) 18:75–80. Available online at: https://www.aasv.org/shap/issues/v18n2/v18n2p75.pdf

Schmid H, Weber R. Abferkelbuchten: ein neues Konzept: Entwicklung und Anwendung. Berichte: FAT; (1992).

Weber R, Keil NM, Fehr M, Horat R. Factors affecting piglet mortality in loose farrowing systems on commercial farms. Livest Sci. (2009) 124:216–22. 10.1016/j.livsci.2009.02.002 DOI

Bøe KE, Bernhoft A, Hansen I, Hoel K, Moe RO, Seehus SC, et al. . Comparison of organic and conventional food and food production part II: animal health and welfare in Norway. VKM Rep. (2014) 2014:22–22.

Andersen IL, Ocepek M. Farrowing pens for individually loose-housed sows: results on the development of the sowcomfort farrowing pen. Agriculture. (2022) 12:868. 10.3390/agriculture12060868 DOI

European European Union Regulation 2019/4 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 December 2018 on the manufacture placing placing on the market and use of medicated feed amending amending Regulation (EC) No 183/2005 of the European Parliament and of the Council and repealing Council Directive 90/167/EEC . Available online at: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2019/4/oj (accessed October 30, 2022).

Schmid H. Natürliche Verhaltenssicherungen der Hausschweine gegen das Erdrücken der Ferkel durch die Muttersau und die Auswirkungen haltungsbedingter Störungen, (Ph.D. Thesis), University of Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland; (1991).

Cronin GM, Dunsmore B, Leeson E. The effects of farrowing nest size and width on sow and piglet behaviour and piglet survival. Appl Anim Behav Sci. (1998) 60:331–45. 10.1016/S0168-1591(98)00159-2 DOI

Baxter EM, Adeleye OO, Jack MC, Farish M, Ison SH, Edwards SA. Achieving optimum performance in a loose-housed farrowing system for sows: the effects of space and temperature. Appl Anim Behav Sci. (2015) 169:9–16. 10.1016/j.applanim.2015.05.004 DOI

Chidgey KL, Morel PCH, Stafford KJ, Barugh IW. Sow and piglet productivity and sow reproductive performance in farrowing pens with temporary crating or farrowing crates on a commercial New Zealand pig farm. Livest Sci. (2015) 173:87–94. 10.1016/j.livsci.2015.01.003 DOI

Nowland TL, van Wettere WHEJ, Plush KJ. Allowing sows to farrow unconfined has positive implications for sow and piglet welfare. Appl Anim Behav Sci. (2019) 221:104872. 10.1016/j.applanim.2019.104872 DOI

Baxter EM, Edwards SA. Optimising sow and piglet welfare during farrowing and lactation. In:SA Edwards. editor, Understanding the Behaviour and Improving the Welfare of Pigs. Cambridgeshire: Burleigh Dodds Science Publishing Limited; (2021). p. 4. 10.19103/AS.2020.0081.04 DOI

Yun J, Swan KM, Oliviero C, Peltoniemi O, Valros A. Effects of prepartum housing environment on abnormal behaviour, the farrowing process, and interactions with circulating oxytocin in sows. Appl Anim Behav Sci. (2015) 162:20–5. 10.1016/j.applanim.2014.11.006 DOI

Bøe KE, Hall EJ, Cronin GM. The effect of pen design on pen floor cleanliness in farrowing pens for loose housed lactating sows. Livest Sci. (2019) 229:37–42. 10.1016/j.livsci.2019.09.007 DOI

Nannoni E, Aarnink AJA, Vermeer HM, Reimert I, Fels M, Bracke MBM. Soiling of pig pens: a review of eliminative behaviour. Animals. (2020) 10:1–21. 10.3390/ani10112025 PubMed DOI PMC

Moustsen VA, Rasmussen J, Pedersen JH. Søers ligge- og gødeadfærd i en kombisti. Landsudvalget for Svin: Danske Slagterier; (2012).

Olsson AC, Pinzke S, Andersson M, Rantzer D, Botermans J. Arbetsbelastning och tidsåtgång i moderna svenska grisningsboxar. Sveriges lantbruksuniversitet, Fakulteten för landskapsplanering, trädgårds-och jordbruksvetenskap, rapport. (2010) 2010:3. Available online at: https://pub.epsilon.slu.se/5608/

Spoolder HA, Aarnink AA, Vermeer HM, van Riel J, Edwards SA. Effect of increasing temperature on space requirements of group housed finishing pigs. Appl Anim Behav Sci. (2012) 138:229–39. 10.1016/j.applanim.2012.02.010 DOI

Westin R, Holmgren N, Mattsson B, Algers B. Throughput capacity of large quantities of chopped straw in partly slatted farrowing pens for loose housed sows. Acta Agri Scand Sect A. (2013) 63:18–27. 10.1080/09064702.2013.780633 DOI

Winter N. How Does Rubber Flooring in Farrowing Pens Affect the Lying Time and Lying Behaviour of the Sow and Her Time to Lie Down? (Dissertation/master's), Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden; (2014).

KilBride A, Gillman C, Ossent P, Green L. Impact of flooring on the health and welfare of pigs. In Pract. (2009) 31:390–5. 10.1136/inpract.31.8.390 DOI

Bolhuis JE, Raats-van den Boogaard AME, Hoofs AIJ, Soede NM. Effects of loose housing and the provision of alternative nesting material on peri-partum sow behaviour and piglet survival. Appl Anim Behav Sci. (2018) 202:28–33. 10.1016/j.applanim.2018.01.004 DOI

Plush KJ, McKenny LA, Nowland TL, van Wettere WHEJ. The effect of hessian and straw as nesting materials on sow behaviour and piglet survival and growth to weaning. Animal. (2021) 15:100273. 10.1016/j.animal.2021.100273 PubMed DOI

Damm BI, Moustsen V, Jørgensen E, Pedersen LJ, Heiskanen T, Forkman B. Sow preferences for walls to lean against when lying down. Appl Anim Behav Sci. (2006) 99:53–63. 10.1016/j.applanim.2005.09.014 DOI

Moustsen VA, Poulsen HL. Pattegrises dimensioner Sammendrag Baggrund. Landsudvalget for Svin: Danske Slagterier; (2004).

Moustsen VA, Nielsen MBF. Dimensioner på 202 Danske Pattegrise Målt I En Besætning. SEGES Svine produktion. Report No 1727. Copenhagen: SEGES Danish Pig Research Centre; (2017).

Condotta IC, Brown-Brandl TM, Stinn JP, Rohrer GA, Davis JD, Silva-Miranda KO. Dimensions of the modern pig. Trans ASABE. (2018) 61:1729–39. 10.13031/trans.12826 DOI

Smith BC, Ramirez BC. Dimensions of the suckling pig. Front Anim Sci. (2021) 2021:31. 10.3389/fanim.2021.694299 DOI

Heidinger B, Stinglmayr J, Baumgartner J. Pro-SAU: Ausgewählte Ergebnisse zu den neuartigen Bewegungsbuchten in der Abferkelung. Nutztierschutztagung Raumberg-Gumpenstein. (2018) 2018:17–24.

King RL, Baxter EM, Matheson SM, Edwards SA. Temporary crate opening procedure affects immediate post-opening piglet mortality and sow behaviour. Animal. (2019) 13:189–97. 10.1017/S1751731118000915 PubMed DOI

Jensen P. Observations on the maternal behaviour of free-ranging domestic pigs. Appl Anim Behav Sci. (1986) 16:131–42. 10.1016/0168-1591(86)90105-X DOI

Yun J, Valros A. Benefits of prepartum nest-building behaviour on parturition and lactation in sows—a review. Asian-Australas J Anim Sci. (2015) 28:1519. 10.5713/ajas.15.0174 PubMed DOI PMC

Lawrence AB, Petherick JC, McLean K, Gilbert CL, Chapman C, Russell JA. Naloxone prevents interruption of parturition and increases plasma oxytocin following environmental disturbance in parturient sows. Physiol Behav. (1992) 52:917–23. 10.1016/0031-9384(92)90371-8 PubMed DOI

Hayes ME, Hemsworth LM, Morrison RS, Tilbrook AJ, Hemsworth PH. Positive human contact and housing systems impact the responses of piglets to various stressors. Animals. (2021) 11:1619. 10.3390/ani11061619 PubMed DOI PMC

Gortz E, Schrade H, Ungangst B. Experiences With Different Free Farrowing Pens in Conventional Housing of Pigs. Freedom in Farrowing Lactation 2021 (FFL21) Virtual workshop: overcoming barriers, facilitating change. (2021). Available online at: http://www.freefarrowing.org (accessed October 30, 2022).

Hales J, Moustsen VA, Nielsen MBF, Hansen CF. Temporary confinement of loose-housed hyperprolific sows reduces piglet mortality. J Anim Sci. (2015) 93:4079–88. 10.2527/jas.2015-8973 PubMed DOI

Moustsen VA, Jensen T. Inventar Til Forbedring AF Hygiejne I Stier Til Løsgående Farende Og Diegivende Søer. SEGES Svineproduktion Notat Nr. 0809. (2008).

Jeppsson KH, Olsson AC, Nasirahmadi A. Increased air velocity in the lying area improves pen hygiene and reduces ammonia emissions from houses with partly slatted pens for growing/finishing pigs. Livestock Sci. (2021) 251:104607. 10.1016/j.livsci.2021.104607 DOI

Goumon S, Špinka M. Emotional contagion of distress in young pigs is potentiated by previous exposure to the same stressor. Anim Cogn. (2016) 19:501–11. 10.1007/s10071-015-0950-5 PubMed DOI

Tanida H, Miura A, Tanaka T, Yoshimoto T. Behavioral responses of piglets to darkness and shadows. Appl Anim Behav Sci. (1996) 49:173–83. 10.1016/0168-1591(96)01039-8 DOI

Rydhmer L. Advances in understanding the genetics of pig behaviour. In:SA Edwards. editor, Understanding the Behaviour and Improving the Welfare of Pigs. Cambridgeshire: Burleigh Dodds Science Publishing. (2021). 10.19103/AS.2020.0081.01 DOI

Neu J, Göres N, Kecman J, Voß B, Rosner F, Swalve HH, et al. . Behavioral observation procedures and tests to characterize the suitability of sows for loose-housed farrowing systems. Animals. (2021) 11:2547. 10.3390/ani11092547 PubMed DOI PMC

Kecman J, Neu J, Göres N, Voß B, Rosner F, Kemper N, et al. . Genetic aspects for the behaviour of lactating sows towards humans. Animal. (2022) 16:100559. 10.1016/j.animal.2022.100559 PubMed DOI

King RL, Baxter EM, Matheson SM, Edwards SA. Sow free farrowing behaviour: experiential, seasonal and individual variation. Appl Anim Behav Sci. (2018) 208:14–21. 10.1016/j.applanim.2018.08.006 DOI

Baxter EM, Rutherford KMD, D'Eath RB, Arnott G, Turner SP, Sandøe P, et al. . The welfare implications of large litter size in the domestic pig II: management factors. Anim Welf. (2013) 22:219–38. 10.7120/09627286.22.2.219 DOI

Marchant Forde JN. Piglet- and stockperson-directed sow aggression after farrowing and the relationship with a pre-farrowing, human approach test. Appl Anim Behav Sci. (2002) 75:115–32. 10.1016/S0168-1591(01)00170-8 DOI

Hansen C. Landsgennemsnit for produktivitet i svineproduktionen 2020. Notat nr. 2115, SEGES Svineproduktion. (2021).

Pig Research Centre . Annual Report 2011. Danish Agriculture and Food Council. 1st ed. (2012). p. 60.

Egli PT, Schüpbach-Regula G, Nathues H, Ulbrich SE, Grahofer A. Influence of the farrowing process and different sow and piglet traits on uterine involution in a free farrowing system. Theriogenology. (2022) 182:1–8. 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2022.01.028 PubMed DOI

Olsson AC, Andersson M, Lörincz A, Rantzer D, Botermans J. Arbetseffektiva grisningsboxar-en fältstudie. Labour efficient farrowing pens-a field study Sveriges lantbruksuniversitet, Fakulteten för landskapsplanering, trädgårds-och jordbruksvetenskap, rapport. (2009) 2009:4. PubMed

Berg S, Andersen IL, Tajet GM, Haukvik IA, Kongsrud S, Bøe KE. Piglet use of the creep area and piglet mortality – effects of closing the piglets inside the creep area during sow feeding time in pens for individually loose-housed sows. Anim Sci. (2006) 82:277–81. 10.1079/ASC200633 DOI

Andersen IL, Berg S, Bøe KE, Edwards S. Positive handling in late pregnancy and the consequences for maternal behavior and production in sows. Appl Anim Behav Sci. (2006) 99:64–76. 10.1016/j.applanim.2005.09.007 DOI

Rosvold EM, Kielland C, Ocepek M, Framstad T, Fredriksen B, Andersen-Ranberg I, et al. . Management routines influencing piglet survival in loose-housed sow herds. Livestock Sci. (2017) 196:1–6. 10.1016/j.livsci.2016.12.001 DOI

Beaujouan J, Cromer D, Boivin X. From human–animal relation practice research to the development of the livestock farmer's activity: an ergonomics–applied ethology interaction. Animal. (2021) 15:100395. 10.1016/j.animal.2021.100395 PubMed DOI

Kirkhorn SR, Earle-Richardson G, Banks RJ. Ergonomic risks and musculoskeletal disorders in production agriculture: recommendations for effective research to practice. J Agromedicine. (2010) 15:281–99. 10.1080/1059924X.2010.488618 PubMed DOI

Hansen LU. Test of 10 Different Farrowing Pens for Loose-Housed Sows. SEGES Svine Produktion. Report No 1803. Copenhagen: SEGES Danish Pig Research Centre; (2018).

Tallet C, Brajon S, Devillers N, Lensink J. Pig–human interactions: creating a positive perception of humans to ensure pig welfare. In:M Spinka. editor, Advances in Pig Welfare. Woodhead Publishing. (2018). p. 3. 10.1016/B978-0-08-101012-9.00008-3 DOI

Hemsworth PH. Behavioural principles of pig handling. Livestock Handl Transp. (2014) 4:261–79. 10.1079/9781780643212.0261 DOI

Lensink BJ, Leruste H, De Bretagne T, Bizeray-Filoche D. Sow behaviour towards humans during standard management procedures and their relationship to piglet survival. Appl Anim Behav Sci. (2009) 119:151–7. 10.1016/j.applanim.2009.04.007 DOI

Coleman GJ, Hemsworth PH. Training to improve stockperson beliefs and behaviour towards livestock enhances welfare and productivity. Rev. Sci. Tech. (2014) 33:131–7. 10.20506/rst.33.1.2257 PubMed DOI

Courboulay V, Kling-Eveillard F, Champigneulle F, Fresnay E, Pol F. What the responsiveness of sows to humans tell us about their performance and living conditions. In:IFIP editor. INRAE 52èmes Journées de la Recherche Porcine Paris 4 et 5 février (2020) p. 361–6.

Pol F, Kling-Eveillard F, Champigneulle F, Fresnay E, Ducrocq M, Courboulay V. Human–animal relationship influences husbandry practices, animal welfare and productivity in pig farming. animal. (2021) 15:100103. 10.1016/j.animal.2020.100103 PubMed DOI

Hemsworth P. Ethical stockmanship. Aust Vet J. (2007) 85:194–200. 10.1111/j.1751-0813.2007.00112.x PubMed DOI

De Meyer D, Amalraj A, Van Limbergen T, Fockedey M, Edwards S, Moustsen VA, et al. . Short Communication: effect of positive handling of sows on litter performance and pre-weaning piglet mortality. Animal. (2020) 14:1733–9. 10.1017/S1751731120000427 PubMed DOI

Hayes ME, Hemsworth LM, Morrison RS, Butler KL, Rice M, Rault JL, et al. . Effects of positive human contact during gestation on the behaviour, physiology and reproductive performance of sows. Animals. (2021) 11:214. 10.3390/ani11010214 PubMed DOI PMC

Muns R, Rault JL, Hemsworth P. Positive human contact on the first day of life alters the piglet's behavioural response to humans and husbandry practices. Physiol Behav. (2015) 151:162–7. 10.1016/j.physbeh.2015.06.030 PubMed DOI

World Animal Protection . Farming Pigs and Future Proofing for a Crate-Free Era. (2021). Available online at: https://www.worldanimalprotection.org.uk/cdn/ff/PuCVD_h80O1tun-XS_GCYogNNniAg25PPOGk7l37MP4/1618409570/public/media/Farming-Pigs-Future.pdf (accessed July 18, 2022).

Elstob T. Käytämme evästeitä jotta sinä saat parempaa sisältöä ja palvelua. (2021). Available online at: https://www.atriatuottajat.fi/ajankohtaista/ajankohtaista/kaikilla-on–oikeus–turvalliseen–tyohon/ (accessed October 3, 2022).

Guy JH, Cain PJ, Seddon YM, Baxter EM, Edwards SA. Economic evaluation of high welfare indoor farrowing systems for pigs. Animal Welfare UFAW J. (2012) 21:19. 10.7120/096272812X13345905673520 PubMed DOI

AHDB . Evidence Report: Comparing the Potential Implications of Widespread Use of Different Farrowing Systems in the British Pig Sector. Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board. (2020). Available online at: https://projectblue.blob.core.windows.net/media/Default/Market%20Intelligence/COP/AHDB%20Alternative%20Farrowing%20Report.pdf (accessed July 18, 2022).

Defra . Code of Practice for the Welfare of Pigs. Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. (2020). Available online at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/pigs-on-farm-welfare (accessed July 18, 2022).

Ministeriet for Fødevarer Landbrug og Fiskeri . Bekendtgørelse om frivillige dyrevelfærdsmærkning Bekendtgørelse nr 1441 af 04/12/2019 Miljø og Fødevaremin, Fødevarestyrelsen, Journalnummer 2019-15-31-00022. (2019).

Ko HL, Temple D, Hales J, Manteca X, Llonch P. Welfare and performance of post-weaning sows and piglets previously housed in farrowing pens with temporary crating on a Spanish commercial farm: a pilot study. Animals. (2022) 12:724. 10.3390/ani12060724 PubMed DOI PMC

King RL, Baxter EM, Matheson SM, Edwards SA. Consistency is key: interactions of current and previous farrowing system on litter size and piglet mortality. Animal. (2019) 13;180–8. 10.1017/S1751731118000927 PubMed DOI

Albernaz-Gonçalves R, Antillón GO, Hötzel MJ. Linking animal welfare and antibiotic use in pig farming—a review. Animals. (2022) 12:20216. 10.3390/ani12020216 PubMed DOI PMC

Jordbruksverket . Ersättning för extra djuromsorg för suggor 2022 Ändra i din ansökan Du måste ha ett åtagande Villkor för ersättningen Sammanfattning av villkoren. (2022). p. 1–7. Available online at: https://jordbruksverket.se/stod/lantbruk-skogsbruk-och-tradgard/djur/extra-djuromsorg-for-suggor (accessed July 18, 2022).

Landbrugsstyrelsen . Tilskud til etablering af løsdrift i farestalde 2018. Landbrugsstyrelsen. (2018). Available online at: https://lbst.dk/tilskudsguide/farestalde-2018/ (accessed July 18, 2022).

Sørensen JT, Schrader L. Labelling as a tool for improving animal welfare—the pig case. Agriculture. (2019) 9:123. 10.3390/agriculture9060123 DOI

Heinola K, Kauppinen T, Niemi JK, Wallenius E, Raussi S. Comparison of 12 different animal welfare labelling schemes in the pig sector. Animals. (2021) 11:2430. 10.3390/ani11082430 PubMed DOI PMC

Weber R, Keil NM, Fehr M, Horat R. Piglet mortality on farms using farrowing systems with or without crates. Anim Welfare. (2007) 16:277.

Lin-Schilstra L, Backus G, Snoek H, Mörlein D. Consumers' view on pork: consumption motives and production preferences in ten European Union and four non-European Union countries. Meat Sci. (2022) 187:108736. 10.1016/j.meatsci.2022.108736 PubMed DOI

Henchion M, De Backer CJS, Hudders L. Ethical and sustainable aspects of meat production; consumer perceptions and system credibility. In: New Aspects of Meat Quality. Sawston: Woodhead Publishing. (2017). p. 649–66. 10.1016/B978-0-08-100593-4.00027-8 DOI

Ruckli AK, Hörtenhuber SJ, Ferrari P, Guy J, Helmerichs J, Hoste R, et al. . Integrative sustainability analysis of european pig farms: development of a multi-criteria assessment tool. Sustainability. (2022) 14:5988. 10.3390/su14105988 DOI

Gautron J, Dombre C, Nau F, Feidt C, Guillier L. Review: Production factors affecting the quality of chicken table eggs and egg products in Europe. Animal. (2022) 16:100425. 10.1016/j.animal.2021.100425 PubMed DOI

Christensen T, Sandøe P. Introduktion. In:T Christensen, P Sandøe. editors, Styrkelse af grisenes velfærd gennem markedsdrevne initiativer : Formidling af resultater fra to forskningsprojekter. Copenhagen: Institut for Fødevare- og Ressourceøkonomi, Københavns Universitet. (2020). p. 11–15.

Maestre M, Campbell L, Etienne J, Cook E, Matulina A. Study on Animal Welfare Labelling: Final Report. Luxembourg: Publications Office of the European Union; (2022). 10.2875/676603 DOI

European Commission. Special Eurobarometer 442 Report Attitudes of Europeans towards Animal Welfare Fieldwork Publication Survey requested by the European Commission. (2016). 10.2875/884639 DOI

Keeling L, Tunón H, Olmos Antillón G, Berg C, Jones M, Stuardo L, et al. . Animal welfare and the United Nations sustainable development goals. Front Vet Sci. (2019) 6:336. 10.3389/fvets.2019.00336 PubMed DOI PMC

McAuliffe GA, Chapman DV, Sage CL. A thematic review of life cycle assessment (LCA) applied to pig production. Environ Impact Assess Rev. (2016) 56:12–22. 10.1016/j.eiar.2015.08.008 DOI

Aarnink AJA, Van Den Berg AJ, Keen A, Hoeksma P, Verstegen MWA. Effect of slatted floor area on ammonia emission and on the excretory and lying behaviour of growing pigs. J Agric Eng Res. (1996) 64:299–310. 10.1006/jaer.1996.0071 DOI

Adamsen AP, Sørensen KB, Hansen LU, Jørgensen M, Moustsen VA. Gødeadfærd I Tre Forskellige Typer AF Stier Til Løsgående, Diegivende Søer. Report Notat 1721. SEGES. (2017).

Aarnink AJA, Swierstra D, Van Den Berg AJ, Speelman L. Effect of type of slatted floor and degree of fouling of solid floor on ammonia emission rates from fattening piggeries. J Agric Eng Res. (1997) 66:93–102. 10.1006/jaer.1996.0121 DOI

Banhazi T, Aland A, Hartung J. Air Quality and Livestock Farming. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press; (2018). 10.1201/9781315738338 DOI

Hansen MJ, Kamp JN, Adamsen APS, Feilberg A. Low-emission slurry pits for pig houses with straw application. Biosyst Eng. (2020) 197:56–63. 10.1016/j.biosystemseng.2020.06.003 DOI

Guarino M, Claudio F, Navarotto P, Valli L, Mascatelli G, Rossetti M, et al. . Ammonia, methane and nitrous oxide emissions and particulate matter concentrations in two different buildings for fattening pigs. In: Proceedings of the International Symposium on Gaseous and Odour Emissions from Animal Production Facilities. Denmark: Danish Institute for Agricultural Sciences; (2003). p. 140–9.

Boogaard BK, Boekhorst LJS, Oosting SJ, Sørensen JT. Socio-cultural sustainability of pig production: citizen perceptions in the Netherlands and Denmark. Livest Sci. (2011) 140:189–200. 10.1016/j.livsci.2011.03.028 DOI

Vandresen B, Hötzel MJ. Pets as family and pigs in crates: public attitudes towards farrowing crates. Appl Anim Behav Sci. (2021) 236:105254. 10.1016/j.applanim.2021.105254 DOI

SEGES . Vision 2050: Delmålene er klar. SEGES Pig Research Centre. (2022). Available online at: https://svineproduktion.dk/aktuelt/nyheder/2022/09/190922_vision_2050 (accessed Sepetember 09, 2022).