Délevage

Délevage is a term used in French agriculture and livestock management to describe the phase in which young animals are separated from their mothers and gradually transitioned from suckling to independent feeding, within the broader context of raising stock. The exact meaning and usage of the term can vary by country, sector, and practice, and it is closely related to, but not identical with, sevrage (weaning).

In practice, délevage involves decisions about when to separate offspring, how to manage their early nutrition, and how to house them to promote health and growth. It can include abrupt separation or a gradual transition, housing away from adult animals, and adjustments to diet such as starter feeds or milk replacers. The objective is to optimize growth and feed efficiency while maintaining welfare and minimizing stress and disease risk.

Welfare and health considerations are central to délevage. Best practices aim to minimize stress during separation, ensure adequate nutrition, and monitor health status. Regulatory frameworks and industry guidelines in many regions govern weaning age, transport, and housing to protect animal welfare.

The term is most commonly found in French-language agricultural literature and may appear in discussions of beef and dairy operations, small ruminants, and poultry, depending on regional terminology. See also élevage; sevrage; animal welfare in agriculture.