Farm Animals

Pig Welfare: Weaning Management Best Practice

The weaning transition is a critical welfare moment for piglets, with management practices significantly affecting stress, disease, and welfare outcomes.

Key Facts

Piglets are typically weaned at 3-4 weeks in commercial production, earlier than the natural 12-16 week period
Post-weaning stress from social, nutritional, and environmental changes predisposes to diarrhoea and poor welfare
Gradual dietary transition before weaning reduces post-weaning digestive disturbance
Peer grouping - housing similar-weight piglets together at weaning - reduces aggression and improves welfare

Welfare Considerations

Weaning is a welfare-critical transition that concentrates multiple stressors simultaneously. Management interventions that reduce the number and severity of changes at weaning - gradual diet transition, peer grouping, familiar environment - significantly improve welfare outcomes in the vulnerable post-weaning period.

What You Can Do

Support pork producers demonstrating evidence-based weaning management protocols
Advocate for minimum weaning age to be maintained or increased in welfare regulations
Engage with research on weaning management approaches that minimise stress and improve welfare