What is the term for the removal of young animals from their mother's milk?

The term used to describe the removal of young animals from their mother's milk is weaning. This process typically occurs when the young animals are old enough to begin consuming solid food and can no longer rely exclusively on their mother's milk for nutritional needs. Weaning is a critical stage in an animal's development, as it allows them to transition to a more adult diet and promotes independence. It also has implications for the mother, as it gives her the opportunity to resume normal feeding and reproductive cycles.

In contrast, slaughtering refers to the killing of animals for food, fostering involves taking young animals and placing them with another mother for care, and grazing pertains to the act of animals feeding on grass or pasture. Each of these processes serves different purposes in livestock management and animal husbandry, highlighting the specific nature of weaning as a developmental milestone.