Right now, thousands of mother pigs in New Zealand are being kept in 'farrowing crates'.

A farrowing crate is a metal cage used in factory farming to confine a female breeding pig (sow) just prior to, and after she has given birth to her piglets. These crates are so small, she cannot even turn around. Most sows in New Zealand are kept in farrowing crates for four to five weeks at a time, two to three times a year.

The life of a sow kept in a farrowing crate is deeply traumatic. The crates do not provide for the behavioural welfare of sows when giving birth and nursing their piglets.

A mother pig can only stand up and lie down in a farrowing crate. With no straw for bedding, she scrapes her nose over the cold, bare floor in an attempt to build a nest for her piglets. Her inability to properly mother her piglets only adds further to her frustration. Her piglets are taken away at just a few weeks of age. The grieving sow is impregnated again almost immediately, and kept in a small pen, to be returned to the crate five days before giving birth. Here the cycle of abuse begins again.

Banning farrowing crates will help end this mistreatment of pigs. You can help achieve this goal by signing the petition.