The age at which piglets are weaned from their mothers has profound welfare implications for both sow and piglet. Scientific evidence increasingly supports later weaning for improved welfare outcomes.
Weaning is inherently stressful for piglets - it involves simultaneous loss of the mother, of milk, of familiar penmates, and of a familiar environment. Early weaning at 21 days compounds this stress by removing piglets before gut and immune development is complete. The welfare case for later weaning is strong. While it creates commercial pressures around sow productivity, 28-day minimum standards and incentives for 35-day weaning represent meaningful welfare improvements.