Today there are still many farm animals that are living in substandard and unhealthy environments. This is true especially for pigs and sheep that die needlessly not because of natural causes but because of the conditions they are forced to live in on some farms. Even though there are regulations that pig and sheep farmers are supposed to follow, many do not and the animals are neglected.

In some cases a pregnant sow is kept in a sow stall for her entire sixteen-week pregnancy.  A sow stall is a narrow metal crate or cage with a bare slatted floor which does not allow the sow to turn around. The poor pig can only stand up and lie down but even this is not without difficulty. This confinement deprives the sow of any exercise or access to the outdoors for four months.

In natural conditions, sows live in small groups with their young. Their days would be spent caring for their piglets and foraging and rooting for food. Instead these poor creatures are locked away in sow crates. It has been shown that these crates cause lameness due to weaker bones and muscles. They also suffer from abrasion injuries, and heart, digestive and urinary tract problems.

Every year millions of sheep are dying, especially during December through February. The cause is not fox predation, which may amount to 1% of the deaths per year, although foxes typically prey on animals already dead. The reason for so many deaths is due to the conditions these sheep are often forced to live in, such as poor hygiene and overstocking in sheds, which can lead to various diseases including TB.

The sad facts are that about one in every five newborn lambs die within days of birth due to disease, exposure and malnutrition. Sheep are at the mercy of their owners and the elements - forced to endure floods, storms, blizzards and drought. There are increasing numbers of sheep being born but the number of trained shepherds has not increased accordingly.

Sheep are also being made to have multiple births per year which is unnatural – have you ever noticed that “spring lambs” seem to be around all year? The ewes are given drugs to bring them into season early and artificially inseminated. Shortly after birth young male lambs are castrated and have their tails docked. The method used can in some cases cause death and infection. The unhealthy conditions they live in cause many diseases to spread among the herd.

Elaine Fairfax, Managing Director and Founder of Animal Friends Insurance, the UK’s only not-for-profit pet insurer, said: - “The way to change these cruel and unhealthy environments for pigs and sheep is for consumers to be more aware of what is going on and to put pressure on farmers and legislators. It is illegal in the UK and other countries to use sow crates for example but this doesn’t seem to have stopped the practice. There are good organisations who are trying to stop this cruel treatment of animals, such Animal Aid and Compassion in World Farming so if everyone lends them a helping hand the welfare of farm animals could be improved greatly”.