Weaning is stressful and risky for piglets; if it's not managed properly, the animals may end up growing slowly, or becoming ill and weak, and even dying. This will obviously result in lower profits.
In contrast, better weaning practices can dramatically reduce post-weaning losses and improve growth rates.
WEANING METHODS
There are several methods of weaning, and the one you opt for will depend on your production goals. But whatever your choice, you need to manage the process with care, or piglets and profits will both suffer!
• Conventional weaning: three to five weeks of age; 5kg-10kg live weight (LW)
At this age and size, piglets can look after themselves under average farm conditions, say pig experts Graeme).
