A farrowing crate is disclosed. The farrowing crate includes an end support and an opposed end support. Back and front portions extend therebetween. Back and front portions includes top and bottom rails and a plurality of bowed bars extending therebetween. Back and front portions include an arcuate section and a straight longitudinal section. The distance between the bottom rail of the back portion and the bottom rail of the front portion is greater than the distance between the front and hind legs of the sow but less than the turning length of the sow. The distance between the front spaced apart bars and the back spaced apart bars varies between a maximum distance proximate to the arcuate section of each of the top and bottom rails of the front and back portion wherein the distance is greater than the turning length of the sow and a minimum distance wherein the distance proximate to the end portion and the opposed end portion is greater than the distance between the front and hind legs of the sow but less than the turning length of the sow. Preferably the spaced apart bars are generally vertical bars that are either bowed or angled. The curvature of the bowed bars or the apparent curvature of the angled bars vary along the length of the back and front portions. The curvature bars increases as they approach the arcuate section. The curvature bars decreases as they approach support members. The farrowing crate of the present invention provides enough space for the sow to turn around 360.degree., this allows the sow to visually monitor her piglets in all directions and allows her to change posture more easily. The farrowing crate provides adequate room for the sow to stand and lie down comfortably when she is aligned along the diagonal.
