Pig Weaning Welfare Science | Animal Welfare Hub

Evidence on the welfare costs of early weaning in pigs and alternatives to current practices.

Key Facts

Commercial pigs are weaned at 21-28 days, compared to the natural 12-17 weeks
Weaning stress causes immunosuppression lasting 1-2 weeks, during which disease risk is highest
Post-weaning diarrhea peaks 5-7 days after weaning due to combined stress and pathogen exposure
Extended weaning beyond 28 days significantly reduces post-weaning mortality and welfare problems
The EU 28-day minimum weaning age is among the world's most welfare-positive regulations
Early-weaned piglets show higher rates of belly nosing and other damaging social behaviors

Welfare Considerations

Early weaning is arguably the single practice most responsible for the health and welfare challenges that define intensive pig production, as it combines physiological stress with immunological vulnerability and social disruption at the most sensitive developmental period. The commercial rationale for early weaning - shorter inter-litter intervals and earlier sow return to productivity - creates powerful economic incentives that resist reform despite strong welfare evidence. Extended weaning to 28+ days, now mandated in the EU, demonstrates that welfare improvement is compatible with commercial production. Global adoption of similar standards would represent one of the most impactful pig welfare improvements achievable.

What You Can Do

Support pork from countries or producers with minimum 28-day weaning standards
Advocate for global adoption of EU-equivalent minimum weaning age standards
Choose higher welfare certified pork that includes weaning age specifications
Support research into natural weaning approaches compatible with commercial production
Ask food companies about the weaning standards in their pork supply chains
Learn about the connection between early weaning and post-weaning disease in pigs