Recommended Animal Handling Guidelines and Audit Guide

Recommended Animal Handling Guidelines and Audit Guide 2007 EditionCattle will move forward when the handler passes the point ofbalance at the shoulder of each animal. The handler walks in theopposite direction along side the single file race.Moving AnimalsLivestock will follow the leader and handlers needto take advantage of this natural behavior to moveanimals easily. Animals will move more easily intothe single file chute if it is allowed to become partiallyempty (though livestock must be able to see the animalahead) before attempting to fill it.A partially empty chute provides room to take advantageof following behavior. Handlers are often reluctantto do this because they are afraid gaps will formin the line and slow the process. But once a handlerlearns to use this method, he will find that keepingup with the line will be easier. As animals enter thecrowd pen, they will head right up the chute. Calmanimals are easier to move than excited animals. Pigshauled for a short, 15-minute trip may be harder tounload because they have not had sufficient time tocalm down after being loaded on the farm. It takes 20to 30 minutes for excited pigs or cattle to calm down.Cattle move into single file,following the leader.One of the most common mistakes is overloadingthe crowd pen that leads to the single file chute. Thecrowd pen and the staging alley between the crowd pen and the yards should be filled half full so17AMIHandlingSlaughterGuidelines07.1AMIJune 11, 2007