Farm Animal Welfare

Farm Pig: Wean Age and Welfare

The age at which piglets are weaned from sows has significant welfare implications for both sows and piglets, with earlier weaning carrying greater risks.

Key Facts

EU legislation sets a minimum weaning age of 28 days except in specialist systems
Weaning before 21 days is associated with increased post-weaning diarrhoea and aggression
The sow's immune transfer to piglets is most important in the first 24-48 hours of life
Higher welfare systems wean at 5-6 weeks, allowing greater piglet development
Piglet gut development continues rapidly between 21-28 days, affecting resilience at weaning

Welfare Considerations

Earlier weaning is associated with greater welfare challenges for piglets through inadequate gut maturation, higher disease susceptibility, and increased aggression. Sow welfare benefits from longer lactation through more complete udder involution before rebreeding. The minimum 28-day legal standard is a welfare floor, not a target - weaning at 35 days or beyond is significantly better for piglet welfare.

What You Can Do

Review weaning age on your unit and consider extending beyond the legal minimum
Monitor post-weaning diarrhoea rates as a welfare indicator of weaning management
Support higher welfare pork from systems with later weaning age
Advocate for welfare standards that recognise weaning age as a key welfare measure
Work with your vet to optimise weaning management at your target age