Animal Science 2111
February 24, 2014
Over the past few decades, the agricultural industry and the methods used within the
industry have changed to accommodate the change in demand for its products. With
increasing population and a shift in preferences of consumption the livestock industry has
had to become more efficient to meet these demands. The gradual change in use of
gestation pens and gestation crates for sows exemplify this shift. As more gestation crates
are being used, questions are raised about the management practices, the productivity of
sows, and the incidence of injury and disease.
I. One of the main advantages of gestation stalls over gestation pens is that the sows
are more easily managed.
a. Gestation stalls are more spaceefficient; more gestating sows can be kept
in stalls in the same space that sows in pens can be kept.
b. Many different feeding methods are available, but only certain ones can be
used in pens or stalls (Bench, et al., 2013).
c. Differences occur in waste management, flooring type, and sow comfort
between stalls and pens (Bench, et al., 2013).
II. Studies show advantages and disadvantages in productivity with both gestation
stalls and gestation pens.
a. Sows raised in stalls are heavier when compared to sows raised in small or
large pens when they are moved to farrowing quarters (Johnston and Li,
b. In experiment, four to five percent more sows in gestation stalls farrowed
a litter when compared to sows in small and large pens (Johnston and Li,
c. No difference is observed in the litter size of sows gestating in stalls, small