HMH sked rescue system, revised deer sled, and ice fishing sled as humane on-farm handling tools to move nonambulatory grow-finish pigs on a commercial farm

Abstract

Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate an HMH sked rescue system, revised deer sled, and ice fishing sled as humane handling tools for moving nonambulatory pigs on a commercial wean-to-finish farm. Materials and methods: Eighteen commercial crossbred pigs received an epidural to induce a nonambulatory state. The HMH sked rescue system, revised deer sled, and ice fishing sled were tested as handling tools by 2 employees for time to place and move the pig, pig vocalization and struggle scores, and tool durability. Results: Time to place the nonambulatory pig from the start pen floor onto the handling tool, time to secure the nonambulatory pig on the handling tool, and total time were not affected by the handling tool (P ≥ .12). There was a trend for time to move the handling tool with the nonambulatory pig from the start to end pen, which included removing the pig from the handling tool and placing them onto the end pen floor (P = .06). The ice fishing sled was the most durable with no creases, rips, or holes. There were no handling tool differences for pig vocalization or struggle scores (P > .10). Changes in pig respiration rate and pig body temperature did not differ between handling tools (P ≥ .71). Implications: Under study conditions, the sked, revised deer sled, and ice fishing sled were all humane tools to move nonambulatory grow-finish pigs. Caretakers need to evaluate the best choice for their farm.