the loading, moving and unloading of domestic farm animals and poultry

3 stages

Grouping (weigh, counted, sorted), Transport, resettlement (up to 72 hours)

• animals should have enought space to enable them to stand if they fall
• animals loaded too loosely can be injured if the vehicle makes a sharp turn or sudden stop
• divider panels in large vehicles are useful in maintaining proper animal density

• necessary to prevent buildup of ammonia and exhaust fumes
• more critical than temperature when transporting in cold weather
• lifesaving in hot weather
• minimizes heat stress

the humidity

below 74 with 80% humidity

moderate risk

74-80 with 85% humidity

increasing risk

80-90 with 90% humidity

high risk

• aggressive handling before, during and after transport
• long transport periods or delays in unloading
• mixing cattle from different sources before harvesting
• extreme heat or cold during transport

take your time

do not crowd pen/avoid overcrowding

eliminate loud noices

expose animals to people and vehicles prior to working them

keep livestock together

consider chute design

consider the weather

watch driving

drive at night or early morning to avoid heat stress/ plug ventilation holes in cold

relocation process

no longer seen as a separate industry but an important part of the overall livestock industry!

1. genetics and nutrition
2. pre-harvest animal handling
3. Post mortem carcass handling and chilling

1. strong correlation between temperature and beef tenderness
2. excitable animals have reduced muscle tenderness
3. some animals cannot accept "novelty" and become excited or freeze in place-they upset the dynamics of the herd and should be removed

the mother

handler

and neonate

• preg checked, placed in farrowing crate at day 109 to 110           (birth at 114)

• nervousness
• vocalization
• nest behavior
• stretching
• sow (milk let down 24 hours prior)

• at first signs of labor, move cow to well-bedded individual delivery stall {check each hour for any progress should take 2-6 hours, after 4 hours---investigate (as long as it isnt in birthing canal it isnt oxygen deprived)}
• delivery of water bag {calf is in birth canal ans will arive soon, 20-25 minutes, cow will take short breaks DO NOT BREAK BAG breaks may be longer after bag breaks/check cow presenting correctly--want them up}
• check tongue for reflex (pinch-pull back) and color (dark/purple during contractions, return to pink quickly if not deliver in 10 mins!)
• If no stress let animal do the job { (step in---water bag present 2 hours, constant straining for 30 mins (no breaks or progress) stops trying (more than 15-20 mins) }
  

allows mother to bond/ baby  to bond

teaches baby who mom is

dries off baby allowing it to stay warm

stimulates blood circulation which encourages baby to stand

always increases risk of harm to mother and baby

greatly increases risk of baby death before 120 days of age

cows will produce less milk (meaning they will have to be culled in that same lactation)

• use sawdust or newspaper as bedding
• moving females multiple times
• rupture waterbag
• use soap and water as lubricant
• pull (unless female is pushing)
• pull after last rib is delivered
• hang neonate upside down or swing it

• considerate
• patient
• independent
• grumpy
• difficult to deal with

They are confident introverts

• eggs produced over period of time
• rate and efficiency of gain
• feed efficiency
• amount of milk or muscle produced
• offspring produced/raised
• high conception rates

makes it easier when it is time to load

gives you a chance to observe them

• balance lighting between holding pen and parlor
• hold open house for cows
• develop routine for getting cows into parlor and stick with it
• mind set of cows will reflect the milker
• cows prefer consistency
  

• follow eachother, move in small groups
• move in slow steady and clam manner
• use paddles and sorting panels or plastic bags
• use proper flooring, lighting and fencing
• if a worker has a negative work style, it is best he or she minimize contact with the pigs
  

bull

1.4 million staws sold

in 50+countries

turkey 0

diary 20-30

swine 20-30

beef 80-85

sheep 99

chickens 100

sex drive in males

highest in seasonal breeders (Rams)

bulls because of size and disposition

(especially Jerseys and or dairy bulls)

especially those raised by hand because they lack proper development of social skills and are extremely dangerous (associate raiser as dominant)

beef at first signs of aggression or at 2.5 years of age whichever is first

bellowing

pawing of dirt

lowered head

looking directly at you

threat displays

challenges

territorial activities

female seeking

female directing

never along

talk or make noises as approach

keep a few cows with him (between you and him)

carry a cattle paddle or sommething to make yourself look bigger

calm, do not shout

• use finger to clear mucous from nasal passage and mouth
• gently squeeze windpipe to encourage cough to clear air way
• stick straw in nostril to encourage sneeze to start breathing
• use resuscitator to help expand lungs
• towel dry to remove excessive moisture and fluff hair coat to minimize heat loss

can stand 12-24 hours after birth

must have colostrum before 8 hours

(can come from donor mother, can be frozen, artificial, lambs can have cow colostrum)

• clip naval cord
• dip-naval
• strip mother's teats see she has milk
• sip-give baby milk

check 3-4 times in first day

continue for 5 days then 2-3 times a day

check temp with finger (should be hot)

make stand up-should stretch

hungry lamb will try to nurse

• move family to small pen
• switch/graft onto new better equipt mother
• cattle/sheep:slime, odor, skin, stnchion grafts
• hogs, poultry-cross foster

CO2

gunshot

penetrating captive bolt

electrocution

anesthetic overdose

blunt trauma to head or neck

cervical dislocation-poultry