Cattle Behavior
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Cattle Behavior
Cattle handling behavior
understanding cattle behavior can reduce livestock stress during handling stress may reduce conception rate stress may cause immune suppression rough handling may cause bruising
anticipation of normal behavioral responses during handling improves handler and animal safety
Vision in cattlecattle have excellent
wide angle visionpoor depth perception
may result in balking at shadows
Brahmans may hold head higher due to heavy skin fold over brow
Hearing in cattle
cattle are more sensitive to high frequency noises than humans
loud noises may distress cattle
Moving Cattle
cattle tend to move towards light if not glaring or blinding
may balk at puddles, drain grates
may balk at changes in floor texture or level
shadows discourage movement
Moving cattle
cattle may balk at clanking metal in chutes
moving or flapping objects may spook cattle
objects in runway, race, chute may causing balking
Moving cattle
people standing in front of the squeeze chute discourages cattle movement
objects such as chains hanging within the working area may cause cattle to balk
Encouraging cattle movement
plastic strips attached to a stick - cattle tend to move away from noise and movement
cattle will move more easily toward home pasture or pen
Encouraging cattle movement
dogs - only utilize in open areas or pastures
electric prod - LAST RESORT!!
Flight zone
“flight zone” = cow personal space
Flight zone
when flight zone entered, cattle move away
when zone is exited, cattle stop moving and may turn to face handler or predator
Flight zonein handling areas it is important not to
invade flight zone too deeply as cattle may attempt to move backwards
occasionally cattle will rear up in a single file chute if handler approaches too closely
in either case, backing out of flight zone should terminate escape behavior
“Companion” cattle
may be difficult to work
have little or no flight zone
may be dangerous during feeding or if seeking attention
Herding behavior
cattle follow the leader like to maintain visual
contact with each other
do not like to be isolated from herd mates - can be a dangerous situation for the handler
Breed variationsBrahmans & their
crosses tend to be more excitable
variations in personalities in Bos taurus breeds, also
Angus - excitable Herefords - quiet Chianina -
nervous/jump fences
Handling facility design
Handling facility design
solid fences in working areas reduce distractions
cattle should only see one way to escape
should be able to see cattle in front of them
utilize “point of balance”
Handling facility design
loading ramps should have solid sides
maximum incline of ramp = 20o
Individual animal behavior
be cautious of bulls in pasture - best to respect rather than fear them
newly arrived cattle that are agitated are allowed to acclimate overnight in clinic when possible
Individual animal handling
cattle catch on to routine readily, may need to alter tactics used to move them from pen to treatment area
brushing tends to calm cattle (bulls esp.)food rewards offered after treatment -
“conditioned response”avoid blind spot directly behind animal, may
be kicked
Working cattle in the stall
Rodeo bull charging stall gate
Conditioned responses
Handling facilities at LSU
Handling facilities at LSU
Handling facilities at LSU
Stimulating forward movement
“Last ditch effort”
Defense mechanisms
head buttingkickingBrahman influence
cows have been known to bite if protecting calves
Defense mechanisms
cattle with horns tend to be more aggressive
it is best if all cattle in a group are either horned or dehorned
Show cattle
show cattle tend to be fairly well behaved
seem to respect children more than adults
Brahman behaviorBrahman cows may be
very protective of calves
may attempt to bite seem to possess good
memory, very intelligent
Brahman behavior
bulls often are quite tame
enjoy being scratched and will seek attention
Cattle and dogswell-trained dogs can
be very useful when working cattle
cattle may charge if dog enters flight zone, especially a cow with a calf
dogs may be useful if attempting to get a “down” cow up
Do not try this at home!
Or this either!
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