The post-weaning period is the most welfare-critical in pig production, with management of temperature, nutrition, space, and social mixing determining early health and welfare outcomes.
Key Facts
Newly weaned pigs face simultaneous challenges: maternal separation, dietary change, and social regrouping
Thermoregulation in weaners requires temperatures of 28-32 degrees Celsius in the first week
Ad libitum access to palatable starter feed encourages early eating and reduces post-weaning dip
Social mixing at weaning creates aggression peaks requiring management
Providing hiding areas or split-level pens reduces aggression in weaner groups
Welfare Considerations
Post-weaning stress is the most severe welfare challenge in modern pig production. Optimal management of each stressor reduces cumulative suffering in the critical post-weaning week.
What You Can Do
Maintain appropriate thermal environment for weaners in the first week post-weaning
Provide palatable starter feeds to encourage early eating and gut development
Minimise regrouping at weaning and provide distraction enrichment to reduce aggression
Monitor weaner behaviour and body weight as welfare indicators in the first two weeks