Evaluating the impact of rubber mats in holding pens on fed cattle mobility and behavior at a commercial slaughter facility

Animal welfare is an important consideration in livestock production, including the critical preslaughter period at processing facilities. While fed cattle spend a relatively short time in lairage, this phase presents a significant opportunity to mitigate stress and enhance well-being. The objective of this study was to determine the effects of providing rubber mats in holding pens on the mobility and behavior of fed cattle prior to slaughter. This study compared cattle held in pens with rubber mats (n = 92 pen groups) to those in control pens with stamped concrete flooring (n = 112 pen groups). Mobility was scored upon unloading and prior to stunning using a 4-point system (1 = normal to 4 = extremely reluctant to move). Pen-level behaviors (standing, lying, drinking, and motion) were quantified using instantaneous sampling at 5-min intervals for the duration of lairage. All instances of mounting were recorded. An employee survey was also administered to plant employees to gather their perspectives on the use of rubber mats in lairage (n = 13). Results indicated a tendency (P = 0.056) for cattle housed on rubber mats to have an increased odds of exhibiting normal mobility at the end of lairage compared to those on concrete. Cattle in matted pens exhibited greater odds of standing (OR: 1.5739, CI: 1.2807, 1.9351, P < 0.01) and mounting (OR: 1.9779, CI: 1.2194, 3.2072, P < 0.01), while showing lower odds of lying (OR: 0.5970, CI: 0.4727, 0.7531, P < 0.01) and drinking water (OR: 0.7500, CI: 0.6304, 0.8920, P < 0.01). Lairage duration and space allowance also influenced several behaviors. Notably, a large majority (92%) of plant employees preferred working in pens with rubber mats and believed they should be used in the holding pens to improve cattle movement during handling. These findings suggest that the incorporation of rubber mats in slaughter plant holding pens can potentially positively influence cattle mobility during lairage, potentially mitigating the decline in mobility often observed during the marketing process. The observed behavioral changes, including increased standing and mounting, may be indicative of improved comfort and stability on the softer, less slippery surface or increased stress; future work is needed to determine the motivation behind these behavioral changes. The strong positive feedback from plant employees further supports the potential benefits of this intervention for both animal welfare and worker well-being.