There are many varying opinions on the use of farrowing crates in the practice of raising swine. A farrowing crate is a penning system, which has an area for the sow and an area for her piglets. While the use of these crates can be controversial, I believe they are necessary for the safety of piglets. These crates are to reduce the number of deaths in piglets caused by crushing. A sow is much heavier than her tiny piglets, and many times by mistake she will crush her young. Even with the use of these crates 52% of piglet deaths are still caused by crushing. The opposing side typically argues about how sows are treated as “machines” who are bred litter after litter and that these crates are torture for them. Many don’t realize that without the …show more content…
In terms of the decision to employ farrowing crates into a farm, is a personal choice made by the producer. In no way do I feel that they should be mandatory for those who opt out of applying this practice, but I feel that those who choose to use farrowing crates should not be disrespected because of their personal choices. Even in an online article that I read, animal welfare groups also feel that this is the only option to reduce the mortality rate of piglets, “The review of farrowing systems by the National Animal Welfare Advisory Committee (NAWAC) has found that the use of farrowing crates was the best system available” (http://www.stuff.co.nz). This article also mentions that as technology advances farmers and producers are finding more ways to allow the sow more room and time out of the crates. While many say that this is an issue of animal welfare, it clearly is. The welfare of the piglets is the entire reason that farrowing crates exist. These crates are for protection, not cruelty. The sows are still healthy and do not life an entire life in the crate, just long enough for her piglets to wean off of