Farm Animals

Farmed Pig Weaning Stress and Welfare

Weaning is one of the most stressful life events for piglets, involving simultaneous separation from the sow, new social mixing, and dietary change.

Key Facts

EU law requires piglets to be at least 3 weeks old at weaning
Earlier weaning (before 28 days) is associated with greater welfare stress
Post-weaning diarrhoea is common and causes illness, dehydration, and death
Mixing of piglets from multiple litters at weaning causes fighting
Gradual dietary transition from milk to solid feed reduces gastrointestinal stress

Welfare Considerations

Weaning imposes multiple simultaneous stressors on piglets. The welfare impact of weaning is partly unavoidable in commercial systems but can be substantially reduced through later weaning age, gradual dietary transition, and stable social grouping that avoids mixing unfamiliar litters. Minimum weaning age standards directly protect piglet welfare.

What You Can Do

Support welfare standards requiring minimum weaning ages of 28 days
Advocate for stable social group management at and after weaning
Choose pork from farms with documented weaning welfare protocols