Early weaning of piglets is standard in commercial production but causes significant stress that later weaning and management improvements can substantially reduce.
Early weaning is one of the most significant welfare interventions performed on pigs in commercial production, and it is performed at the age most convenient for production scheduling rather than for the welfare of sow or piglet. The natural mother-offspring bond in pigs is strong, and separation at three weeks causes acute distress responses in both parties. The long-term consequences for piglets include gut dysbiosis, immune compromise, and behavioural problems that reflect the disruption of normal developmental processes. Later weaning reduces these harms significantly, but requires management of sow body condition over longer lactation periods and typically increases production costs. The welfare case for later weaning is strong and is reflected in organic and high-welfare certification standards that mandate longer lactation periods.