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Abstract. The body weight performance and behavior of sows in farrowing crates is a critical indicator of health and well-being for the producer at an important point in the production cycle. As the animal nears farrowing and immediately afterward, her lying-to-standing time ratio is of vital importance. Currently, the accepted methodology for determining sow behavior is simply human observation. Researchers at Purdue University have designed a prototype electronic scale to provide an experimentally determined value for this vital metric. The device consists of an aluminum tread plate supported in a high-density polyethylene plastic base by a series of load cells. The tread plate is diaphragm flexible to a small degree, and this allows varying support normal forces to be recorded at different locations underneath the plate. An automatic data acquisition system records the inputs from the various load cells. The work detailed in this paper will include the design, the calibration plan, and the experimental plan with load cell placement for static and live weights on a bench testing apparatus and live animals. The implications of this work are significant for animal husbandry, as an electronic problem notification for individual sows to supervising personnel will eliminate human error, guesswork, and intra-shift miscommunication regarding animal behavior. Animals in distress could be identified in a timelier manner with this technology, enabling human intervention and preventing sow health issues from intensifying and draining potential producer revenues. The broader impact of this device could be a significant improvement in animal welfare for domestic production animals.