Factory Made Pigs

LIke the veal producers, hog farmers place a premium on crowding to get the most production using the least possible space. Since a continuous supply of pigs is needed to stock the factory, producers must maintain hundreds of breeding sows to meet the demand.

Pregnant sows are confined continuously in tight individual stalls. Their movement is often restricted further by the use of chains or some other type of tether. No exercise or nesting is possible even though the urge for such behavior is strong. About a week before her piglets are born, the pregnant sow is moved to a farrowing stall. This steel cage allows her only to stand or lie down and keep her in position to feed her baby pigs.

The piglets are crowded into "nurseries", small wire cages that can be stacked on top of each other. Their tails are cut off and their ears notched for identification. When they are about three weeks old they are removed to another part of the factory to be fattened for market.

The mother is immediately re-impregnated and sent back to the gestation stall to begin the cycle all over again.