Likewise, sows are able to perform some simple social interactions through the bars. The crate eliminates most social stress and allows for individual feeding of sows based on their individual needs. Once the decision is made to individually house sows to provide individual care, economics will determine the actual space that is provided. Economics drives the space allowance down while animal welfare considerations drive the space up. Furthermore, economics favors use of concrete slatted floors under crated sows rather than solid floor with bedding.
Concrete flooring leads to foot lesions and shoulder lesions.
Bedding would prevent some skin and limb lesions however removal of bedding and sanitation of a bedded crate is not considered practical by the industry, so the crate is more typically placed on a slatted floor surface rather than a bedded surface. Outside of a bedded hoop building World-Wide Views of the Sow Crate Human views, based on science and consumer preference, vary around the globe about the sow crate. In less developed countries use of the sow crate is not an issue. Shown here is a picture of sows in gestation crates in Brazil on a modern pig farm. Virtually the same equipment and pig genetics are used around the world, regardless of stage of the countries economic development and local economic pressures.