In Pig Farming, Growing Concern - Raising Sows in Crates Is Questioned

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In Pig Farming, Growing Concern

Raising Sows in Crates Is Questioned

 

By Marc Kaufman

Washington Post Staff Writer

Monday, June 18, 2001; Page A01

 

 

YORKVILLE, Ill. -- Inside each of John Kellogg's barns, long rows of

grunting, snorting hogs fill every available space. The rows contain 100

animals -- all pregnant or soon to be. Every animal faces the same direction

in a scene of orderliness seldom associated with pigs.

 

The animals are not lining up by choice: Each stands inside a narrow metal

crate. The pigs, which can reach 600 pounds, will spend much of their three

or four years of adult life inside these crates, unable to turn around or

even lie down fully because the stalls are just two feet wide. Only when

caring for piglets will the sows live outside them for long, and then in

different metal crates only slightly wider so they can recline to nurse.

 

More:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A12663-2001Jun17.html