The age at which piglets are weaned profoundly affects their physiological readiness for life without their mother and shapes their long-term welfare.
Weaning age is a fundamental welfare parameter for piglets because it determines whether the gut, immune system, and nervous system are adequately developed to cope with the abrupt transition to solid food and an independent environment. Piglets weaned at 21 days are physiologically and psychologically immature: their digestive enzymes are incompletely developed, their immune system relies heavily on maternal antibodies, and they still have strong maternal attachment needs. The welfare cost of premature weaning is measurable in post-weaning diarrhoea rates, antibiotic use, and early mortality. Extending weaning age by even one week significantly reduces these welfare harms. Consumer demand for higher welfare pork, supported by appropriate price premiums, is the most effective driver of weaning age extension across the industry.