Farm Animal Welfare

Pig Welfare at Weaning: Stress Physiology

The physiological stress of weaning in piglets and strategies to mitigate its welfare impact.

Key Facts

Commercial weaning at 3-4 weeks causes elevated cortisol, gut disruption, and immune stress
Piglets separated from sow and littermates simultaneously experience social and nutritional stress
Post-weaning diarrhoea is a major welfare and productivity consequence of early weaning
Later weaning (5-6 weeks) substantially reduces stress responses and improves gut health

Welfare Considerations

Weaning is one of the most stressful events in a commercial pig's life, causing documented physiological and behavioural welfare impacts. Extending weaning age where possible, and providing enrichment and social stability afterward, are among the most impactful welfare improvements available.

What You Can Do

Support EU and national policies that enforce minimum weaning age standards
Choose pork from producers who wean at 5 weeks or later
Advocate for research into low-stress weaning protocols as an industry standard