Early weaning of piglets — at 3-4 weeks in commercial systems — causes significant stress and welfare harm that can be mitigated through management practices.
Weaning welfare harms are multi-dimensional: the separation from the mother imposes mutual distress; the transition to solid food stresses an immature digestive system; and mixing with unfamiliar piglets creates social conflict. The industry drive toward earlier weaning (maximising sow reproductive rate) conflicts directly with piglet welfare. The evidence that later weaning improves piglet health and welfare is clear, but economic pressure maintains the industry standard at the welfare-compromising end of the spectrum.