Farm Animals

Pig Weaning Age and Gut Health

Early weaning of piglets at 3-4 weeks disrupts gut development and increases disease susceptibility, with welfare implications for both piglets and sows.

Key Facts

EU minimum weaning age is 28 days, but many systems wean at 21 days
Piglet gut immunity is not fully developed until 6-8 weeks of age
Post-weaning diarrhoea causes significant mortality and welfare costs
Natural weaning age in wild pigs is 3-4 months
Later weaning reduces antibiotic use and improves piglet survival rates

Welfare Considerations

Early weaning is economically convenient but creates preventable suffering for piglets through compromised immunity and gut dysbiosis. Extending weaning age is a meaningful welfare improvement.

What You Can Do

Support farms with certified weaning age standards above the legal minimum
Ask your pork supplier about their weaning age policies
Advocate for higher minimum weaning age standards in UK and EU law