Commercial pig production involves weaning piglets from sows at 3-4 weeks of age - far earlier than natural weaning at 12-17 weeks - causing significant welfare problems for both mothers and offspring.
Early weaning creates acute distress for both sows and piglets. Sows experience the abrupt loss of their offspring while still lactating, creating physical discomfort alongside psychological distress evidenced by vocalisation patterns. Piglets face sudden loss of maternal contact, nutrition source, and social comfort simultaneously. The resulting immunological compromise and behavioural disorders indicate fundamental welfare failure. Later weaning dramatically improves outcomes for both generations.