Livestock

Weaning Age in Pigs: Welfare Science and Policy

Science-based review of weaning age effects on piglet and sow welfare -- what the evidence shows.

Key Facts

Commercial pig production weans piglets at 21-28 days -- far earlier than the natural weaning age of 12-17 weeks
Early weaning causes acute stress in both sow and piglets -- stress hormones peak at separation
Piglets weaned before 21 days show higher rates of post-weaning diarrhoea and welfare deterioration
The EU minimum weaning age is 28 days -- enforcement varies significantly across member states
Sow welfare benefits from reduced lactation duration through improved body condition at rebreeding
Longer lactation duration is associated with better piglet immune development and welfare outcomes
Organic and higher-welfare standards require weaning at a later age -- typically 40+ days
Compromise weaning protocols including step-down feeding reduce the welfare impact of weaning transition

Welfare Significance

Weaning age is a fundamental welfare parameter in pig production that reflects the tension between sow productivity and piglet welfare. The evidence is clear: earlier weaning causes greater welfare harm to piglets. Policies that maintain minimum weaning ages and support gradual weaning protocols protect piglet welfare at the cost of some production efficiency -- a trade-off that welfare-conscious production systems must make explicitly.

What You Can Do

Support higher-welfare pig production standards that require later weaning ages
Advocate for stronger enforcement of minimum weaning age requirements across the EU and UK
Choose pig products from farms certified to higher weaning age standards
Support research into weaning protocols that minimise stress for both sow and piglets