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STRESS
is an important factor to consider when handling animals.
You always want to reduce stress as much as possible when
handling animals. Reducing stress will make handling animals
easier and will improve the quality of the products that come
from the animals. There are a couple of things for you to
know and work with when handling animals that can reduce stress
- both on the animals and on you. First, animals see differently
than people. Also, livestock are most at ease in a herd or
group of animals. Finally, animals bruise easily, even though
we may not see the bruise.
| I. Sight |
| • Animals have a blind spot where they
cannot see. |
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- Animals may kick if approached from this area.
- Avoid standing or walking in this area.
- Never pressure an animal to move when you are directly
behind it.
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| • Animals may become scared of |
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- shadows
- changing surfaces
- unfamiliar places in the working facilities
- sudden movements. |
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II. Herd Animals
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• Herd animals prefer to live in a
group.
• They do not like to be alone and can become scared
when separated from other animals.
• Cattle, swine and sheep are all herd animals. |
| III. Bruising |
| • Bruising can be caused by: |
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- rough handling, such as hitting animals
to force them to move
- nails and sharp objects sticking out in the pens and
working areas. |
| • If an animal will not move: |
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- Tap the animal lightly with a sorting
paddle.
- Tap the animal on lower value parts of the carcass.
What
are the low and high value parts of the carcass?
- Use your voice to alert the animal, but do not yell
because that will make the animal nervous. |
| • Bruising can affect the animal’s
performance and the quality and value of the carcass. |
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- Bruises may be painful to animals.
- Bruises on carcasses must be cut away and discarded.
This lowers the value of the carcass.
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Part 2 of Handling
Your Animal
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