Livestock

Pig Weaning Age and Welfare Implications

The age at which piglets are weaned from their mothers has significant welfare implications for both sow and piglets, affecting stress responses and immune development.

Key Facts

EU law requires a minimum weaning age of 28 days (21 days in some circumstances)
Commercial herds often wean at the minimum age to maximise sow productivity
Natural weaning in wild pigs occurs at around 14 to 17 weeks
Early weaning causes significant stress responses in both sow and piglets
Post-weaning diarrhoea is a major health challenge linked to early weaning

Welfare Considerations

Piglets weaned at 28 days have not completed normal behavioural development and show acute stress responses at weaning. The social disruption, dietary change, and new environment compound welfare impacts. Later weaning reduces stress and post-weaning disease but reduces sow productivity. Higher welfare systems that extend weaning age show better piglet welfare outcomes.

What You Can Do

Choose pork from higher welfare systems with later weaning ages
Support RSPCA Assured certification which requires minimum 28 days with no exceptions
Advocate for later minimum weaning ages in UK pig welfare legislation
Support research into weaning management that reduces post-weaning stress
Encourage pig farmers to assess welfare indicators at weaning