ANBI411: beef

handling cattle

• to be able to move and restrain an animal without risk of injury to the animal, yourself or others

• to be able to apply the appropriate level of pressure and restraint

normal behaviour

• calm movements

• curious/attentive towards surroundings

• strong herd behaviour

flight zone

imaginary space around the animal

• if not used to huamns it is large

• if used to humans smaller

using tools to move animals

• paddle,sorting stick,flag to extend one’s arm

• not used to hit, prod or touch

• proper tail twisting

moving animals inside a handling alley

• walk from infront to behind animal to get it to move forward

• walk back to front from beyound flight zone

point of balance

• section at the end of their shoulders

how to properly move animals

use flight zone and point of balance together

black cave effect

cattle may refuse to enter a dark building

dangerous situations

• bad habits

• overconfidence

• rushing

types of aggressive behaviours

• territorial/sex related

• maternal

• fear-induced

• organic origin (broad range of health issues)

• mock fighting

• instrumental aggression

causes of aggression in farm species

• mixing of unfamiliar animals

• competition over food

• spatial factors and overcrowding

• frustration, fear, pain

dangerous body language

• ear positions

• heal and tail positions

• pawing the ground

• tail flicking

• bellowing

how to be prepared for dangerous situations

• dont put yourself in situation of risk

• think of an exit route in advance

• learn to read body language

capture and containment

• be patient, dont rush

• work with another person

• avoid quick movements and loud noises

• plan escape route

• avoid leading cattle into en enclosed area

• never wrap or tie lead rope to yourself

affiliative behaviours

• social interactions that function to reinfrce social bonds in a group

• allogrooming

• allofeeding/food sharing

• behavioural synchrony

• spatial proximity

hierarchy

order of individuals in social structure, established with headbutts, charges,kicks

feeding behaviour

• feeding frequency: more deliveries more stable consumption

• consistency of feeding: irregular schedules may cause animals to ingest larger quanitites during short time

sexual behaviours

1. proceptive behaviours

2. acceptive behaviours

3. refractory period (males only)

proceptive behaviours

• detection: flehmen response, investigate genital region, smelling

• courtship: physical contact. vocalizations, urination, restlessness, decreased intake

• verification: mounting attempts

acceptive behaviour

• male: mounting and clasping, intercourse and ejaculation

• female: immobility, sign of standing heat

male: refractory period

• period after ejaculation

• male is unresponsive ti further stimulation

• coolidge effect lasts a few minutes