Modified wean-to-finish mat as an alternative handling tool for moving grow-finish pig cadavers: A pilot study

Abstract

Through the National Pork Board, the US pork industry provides recommendations for humane handling tools and acceptable non-ambulatory pig handling methods. While these recommendations are useful, there is a lack of published evidence regarding the efficacy of humane handling tools commercially available for moving non-ambulatory pigs. Wean-to-finish mats are commonly used on-farm to provide comfortable resting areas for newly weaned pigs and to minimize feed waste around feeders. The objective of this project was to test a commercial wean-to-finish mat as a humane handling tool for non-ambulatory grow-finish pigs. On-farm testing was accomplished using pig cadavers (n = 3; 135, 118, and 68 kg) to evaluate mat effectiveness based on employee effort and preference. Our results do not support wean-to-finish mats as effective handling tools for moving non-ambulatory grow-finish pigs.