Farm Animals

Pig Weaning Stress and Management

Weaning is one of the most stressful events in a piglet's life, with welfare implications from social disruption, dietary change, and unfamiliar environment.

Key Facts

Commercial piglets are weaned at 21-28 days, far earlier than the natural 12-17 weeks
Weaning causes simultaneous social, dietary, and environmental disruption
Post-weaning diarrhoea is a leading cause of piglet mortality following weaning
Extended weaning to 28+ days reduces post-weaning stress responses compared to 21 days
Complexity in the post-weaning environment supports adaptation and reduces welfare impact

Welfare Considerations

Early weaning causes significant distress in piglets - vocalisation, reduced activity, decreased food intake, and immune suppression. These are real welfare costs at a vulnerable life stage. Extending weaning age, providing enrichment in the post-weaning environment, and careful dietary transition management all reduce welfare impact.

What You Can Do

Support farms using later weaning ages and enriched post-weaning environments
Advocate for minimum weaning age standards in pig welfare legislation
Choose higher welfare pork labels requiring extended weaning ages