Nutritional management from weaning through finishing significantly affects pig welfare, with key transitions and growth phases requiring specific dietary support to prevent disease and promote positive welfare.
Nutrition in the wean-to-finish period is a welfare lever often overlooked in favour of housing and enrichment. Poorly formulated diets cause gut disturbance, reduced immunity and growth depression. Excess protein worsens air quality. Getting nutrition right at each growth phase supports the immune system, gut health and behaviour in ways that complement other welfare interventions.