How to improve livestock handling and reduce stress.

Abstract

Abstract Calm, low-stress methods for handling cattle, sheep, pigs, and other farm animals will result in better productivity and increased human safety. People who are handling animals should be trained to understand and use basic behavioral principles such as the flight zone, point of balance, circling around the handler, and natural following behavior. Animals will move more easily through a race or alley if distractions such as shadows or reflections on shiny metal are removed, or if people up ahead are removed from the animal's line of sight. Stress will be reduced if animals are acclimated both to handling procedures and to having people walk through their pens or pastures. Restraint of livestock will be easier and there will be less vocalization or struggling if the following principles are used. The most important features are nonslip flooring and supporting the body to avoid triggering the instinctual fear of slipping and falling. A common mistake is to apply excessive pressure with a restraint device.