Industrial pig farming separates piglets from sows at 21 days - far earlier than their natural weaning age - causing welfare problems for both mothers and young pigs.
Early weaning causes distress to both sows and piglets simultaneously. Sows experience acute separation distress - vocalization, restlessness, and searching behavior persisting for days. Piglets weaned too early lack the behavioral maturity to cope with solid food, social mixing, and the absence of maternal care. Weaning stress syndrome - characterized by diarrhea and immune suppression - is a direct welfare consequence. The antibiotics commonly used to manage post-weaning disease suppress visible symptoms while the underlying welfare deficit - too-early separation - remains unaddressed.