The age at which piglets are weaned from sows has profound welfare implications for both piglets and sows, with commercial farms typically weaning far earlier than natural weaning age.
Abrupt early weaning is one of the most significant welfare events in a pig's life. Piglets experience acute stress from separation, novel environment, social regrouping and dietary transition simultaneously. Sows also show significant distress behaviours at weaning. Extending weaning age, providing transition feed and stable social groupings post-weaning all mitigate these harms.