Early weaning of piglets causes significant stress and health problems. Understanding and reducing weaning stress is a major welfare priority in pig farming.
Weaning represents one of the most acute welfare challenges in pig production. The simultaneous loss of maternal comfort, milk nutrition and familiar social environment overwhelms piglet coping capacity. Evidence shows that later weaning, provision of enrichment material, gradual dietary transition and stable social groupings significantly reduce stress indicators. Some high-welfare systems allow weaning at five to eight weeks, producing piglets with stronger immune function, better welfare outcomes and competitive long-term growth rates.