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!