National SOW HOUSING Conversion Project
A collaborative research project that brings together the latest scientific, industry and government expertise on group sow housing and what is needed for successful barn conversions and management.


Project participants include Canadian scientists and producers with expertise and experience in group sow housing, collaborating in a comprehensive national strategy to facilitate knowledge transfer and support to Canadian producers considering the conversion to group sow housing.
Our goal is to facilitate the successful adoption of group housing and effective management methods, ensuring that the transition results in housing and management that is profitable and meets the needs of sows and producers. These changes will also meet changing expectations within the marketplace, helping to ensure markets for Canadian pork products both at home and abroad.
Why was the NSHCP Developed?
The NSHCP was developed in response to the increasing pressure on the Canadian pork industry to convert from stalls to group housing f1or gestating sows. A large number of North American food retailers have issued statements pledging to source their pork supplies exclusively from stall-free systems within the next 5 to 10 years.
In addition to these market demands, the Canadian Code of Practice for the care and handling of pigs (2014), which defines the basic standards for pig housing and management, requires that, as of July 1, 2014, all new buildings and renovations must accommodate sows in groups during gestation. Existing buildings that do not undergo renovation can continue to operate with stalls, with additional requirements for providing greater freedom of movement as of July 1, 2024. Full details on the code can be found here.
In order to meet the increasing demands of packers and retailers for pork produced in group systems, and to meet requirements of the Code of Practice, Canadian producers need to consider their options and how to begin the conversion to groups.
There are several options for housing sows in groups, with differing management proctices and potential advantages and disadvantages to each. The NSHCP will provide information and support for system selection and design, and facilitate the successful adoption of group housing systems by Canadian producers. Our aim is to ensure producers are well informed on the management pros and cons of each system, and the related cost of conversion. Providing this information and support to Canadian producers will aid the efficient adoption of group housing .