Commercial pigs are weaned at 3 to 4 weeks of age — far earlier than the natural weaning period of 12 to 17 weeks — causing significant stress for both piglets and sows.
Early weaning creates a compounded welfare problem: piglets are separated from their mothers before their immune and digestive systems are mature, exposed to novel environments and unfamiliar conspecifics simultaneously, and deprived of the behavioral learning and maternal comfort that natural weaning would provide. Post-weaning diarrhea is both a welfare problem and a production crisis that drives antibiotic use. The solution — longer suckling periods — is feasible but requires production system redesign. Welfare certification programs increasingly include minimum weaning age requirements as a practical indicator of better pig welfare.