Weaning Age and Piglet Welfare | Animal Welfare Hub

The age at which piglets are weaned from their mothers significantly affects welfare outcomes for both piglets and sows.

Key Facts

EU regulations require a minimum weaning age of 28 days except in specific circumstances
Conventional intensive systems wean at 21-28 days, far earlier than natural weaning at 12-16 weeks
Early weaning causes post-weaning stress syndrome with diarrhoea and immune suppression
Later weaning at 35-42 days reduces post-weaning health problems and stress
The UK historically had a minimum 28-day weaning age with moves to extend this

Welfare Considerations

Early weaning causes acute stress in both sow and piglets from abrupt separation before natural weaning motivation is satisfied. Piglets weaned at 21 days have immature immune systems and digestive tracts, making them highly susceptible to post-weaning diarrhoea. The post-weaning stress response involves elevated cortisol, reduced feeding, and increased disease susceptibility that impairs welfare for 1-2 weeks. Later weaning at 35 days or beyond significantly reduces these welfare harms while improving piglet health and growth. Industry pressure for earlier weaning driven by sow productivity conflicts with piglet welfare.

What You Can Do

Support regulations extending minimum weaning age toward 35+ days
Choose pork from higher welfare producers using later weaning practices
Advocate for research into optimal weaning age balancing sow and piglet welfare
Support transition funding for farms adapting to later weaning requirements