Early weaning of piglets from sows is standard in commercial pig production but causes significant stress to both mothers and offspring. Understanding and mitigating this distress is a key welfare priority.
The gap between natural weaning age and commercial weaning practice represents one of the most significant welfare compromises in pig production. Piglets experience both social separation and dietary transition simultaneously, creating compounded stress. Sows denied the natural decline of nursing through gradual weaning show behavioural indicators of frustration and distress. Regulatory minimums for weaning age exist in some jurisdictions but remain far below what developmental evidence suggests is optimal for piglet welfare.