What this guide covers

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2 What this guide covers This guide highlights the importance of understanding and communicating effectively with animals - to ultimately improve animal welfare and productivity in the Middle East and Africa. It will improve your understanding of animal welfare and knowledge of international welfare standards, detailing their application and delivery. This information can be used by those working on board vessels, unloading and loading vessels, truck drivers, feedlot workers and people in slaughterhouses. The principles are the same for all situations. The topics covered in this guide include: OIE Animal Welfare Standards Commercial Benefits of Improved Animal Welfare Flight Zones of Animals Herd Behaviour of Livestock Animal Senses Communicating with Animals This guide was developed by the Meat and Livestock Australia (MLA) and LiveCorp Joint Livestock Export Program. For More Information Contact: Meat and Livestock Australia Ph: Published by Meat & Livestock Australia Limited March 2008 Meat and Livestock Australia ISBN: Care is taken to ensure the accuracy of information contained in this publication. However MLA cannot accept responsibility for the accuracy or completeness of the information or opinions contained in the publication. 1

3 OIE Animal Welfare Standards It is important to understand that there are standards for working with animals known as the OIE Standard. OIE is the World Organisation for Animal Health which sets the global standards for animal welfare. These standards will not be covered fully in this guide however the important key issues will be described and are covered in MLA/LiveCorp practical training sessions. The standard for Guidelines for the Slaughter of Animals state and expect the animal handler to understand the following points: Domestic livestock are kept in herds and follow a leader by instinct Animal handlers should understand flight zones Balance in handling animals Animal senses such as vision, smell and sound and how they react to these distractions that may baulk animals The proper use of instruments that deliver electric shocks - they should not be used on sheep or goats at any stage and if used on cattle where and when they should be used Animals should be handled in such way to avoid harm, distress or injury Aids that are used to move animals (eg. the "sheep talker ) should be used in a way to encourage movement and direction of animals Those practices that are unacceptable such as using implements that may cause pain or stress, walking animals over the top of other animals, and creating noise that will cause agitation to the animal. The above points are only a selection of issues that are discussed in the OIE Code and are listed as examples to be considered when working with animals. 2

4 Commercial benefits of improved animal welfare Understanding animals, how they react to each other and also to you as a handler, enables you to increase efficiency and production. It makes your job easier and saves considerable amounts of time, as well as money. As a handler, your knowledge of animals and their environment will result in reduced stress to the animal. This reduction in stress will have commercial benefits including: Reduction in amount of weight loss during handling Disease resistance as animals are prone to disease when their immune system is low which can be caused by high stress levels Reduction in time needed to complete a job (eg, increasing vessel discharge from 1,000 sheep/hr to 2,000 sheep/hr Reduced mortality rate. For the employer, your understanding of animal welfare can also save time and money by: Reducing time at port for unloading and loading - this is a considerable cost saving Increasing survival rates means more sheep or cattle for the importer Maintaining animal welfare standards to reduce criticism from animal rights groups - keeps the live export industry open and ultimately helps keep you in business! Happy animals-happy people! 3

5 The flight zone of livestock Sheep and cattle like to keep their distance from us - this distance is called the FLIGHT ZONE. Animals will try to escape if a handler approaches closer than a certain distance. This critical distance, which defines the flight zone,varies among species and individuals of the same species, and depends upon previous contact with humans. Animals reared in close proximity to humans (i.e. tame) have a small flight zone, often being able to be freely touched without moving away from you. Animals kept in free range or extensive grazing systems often have larger flight zones and they move away as you move towards them. Australian sheep have been reared in extensive systems and usually have larger flight zones than local Middle East raised sheep. As humans, we exert pressure on sheep just by being there. Animal handlers should avoid sudden penetration of the flight zone which may cause a panic reaction which could lead to aggression or escape. Above - Sheep moving away from handlers according to their flight zone. The distance between you and the animal (the FLIGHT ZONE) and where you are in respect to this will determine the animal s response to you - Flight or Fight. 4

6 Herd behaviour of livestock Livestock are herding animals that like to be with and follow other livestock. They naturally come together in a mob and there are leaders and followers. They are used to open grass plains and are relatively defenceless in their behaviour. In the larger animal world and where they fit into the food chain, livestock are regarded as PREY animals. This means they are hunted by other animals such as dogs, lions, wolves and also humans! Livestock know their place in the animal kingdom and naturally react to predators by moving away to survive. The predator-prey relationship is important to understand, as this is what causes a flight or fight response. This relationship has been naturally developed from surviving years in the wild and even though they are often domesticated, livestock may still see humans as a Predator to them. HUNTED HUNTERS Above - The Predator-Prey Relationship between Animals 5

7 Mob structure In each mob there is a structure which is always maintained. It may not always be the same animal, but the dynamics of the mob is always broken into: 1. Leaders - these animals are out in front, giving direction and setting the pace. They are called No.1 s. 2. Potential Leaders - are just behind the leaders in the mob. They are called No.2 s. 3. Most Insecure - these animals are in the centre of the mob and have a very large flight zone. 4. Followers -are the majority of animals in the mob. They look to the leaders for stability and direction. Leaders No.1 s Potential Leaders No.2 s Followers The Mob Most Insecure The Mob Structure The most important member of the mob is the LEADER. Finding the leader and giving it direction is always the hardest part. Once this is achieved, the mob structure will develop and movement will be much easier. 6

8 Animal senses Animals use many senses to communicate. Vision is the most important aspect of all their senses. Animals have panoramic vision as shown in the diagram below. Panoramic vision (one eye) Narrow binocular vision (two eyes) Blind spot Panoramic vision (one eye) It is very important to never position yourself in the blind spot - directly behind the animal. They want to see you and follow other animals. Other livestock senses that need to be considered when working with animals are: Depth Perception - some animals find it difficult to determine depth with stationary objects versus moving objects. To overcome this, create slight movement. Colour - animals can see colour however some colours make them baulk. Be aware of their surroundings. Illumination - stock like to move from dark to light areas. It is difficult to move animals into dark places. Noise is better avoided as it causes stress. Movement can be created WITHOUT NOISE and without stress. 7

9 Communicating with animals The most important aspects of communicating with animals are related to flight zones, mob structure and understanding their reaction to your position and movement. We must understand their needs which include: Animals want to be moved quietly They naturally want to follow other animals No animal wants to be ISOLATED - they prefer to be part of a mob They want to see (visually) who and what is pressuring them They should always be respected and not abused Livestock are always looking for a leader and that leader may be another animal or a person The way you position your body in relation to the animal s eye will be reflected in their movement Vision is the most important animal sense in relation to communicating with livestock. They also react to smell and sound, however vision is by far the most important. The Top 4 Principles of Livestock Communication are: 1. Position - where are you in relation to the eye? 2. Pressure - when applied must also be released 3. Movement - change your body position to create movement 4. Communicating to the sheep and other team mates 8

10 Four principles of livestock communication 1. Position Livestock use vision as the main way they communicate. Your position in relation to their eye is important. Where are you in relation to the eye? In front - this is very confrontational and also very dangerous with some animals (eg. cattle). Behind the animal - they like to see what is pressuring them. If they cannot see you, you cannot influence them. They will become nervous and turn around to watch you. The only place you can influence an animal and create efficient movement and direction is when you are on the SIDE of the animal. Below - Position in relation to animal s eye IN FRONT NO BEHIND NO ON THE SIDES YES ALWAYS WORK ON THE SIDE OF THE ANIMALS 9

11 2. Pressure Whatever pressure is applied MUST always be released. Once you have applied the pressure and have either created movement or direction, you must release this pressure. Examples: 1. If using a goad with a flap, stop waving the flapper after the animal responds. 2. If you created movement by positioning your body, release this position by moving backwards. The most effective way to create pressure is to move towards the animal and then move away. Pressure Release Pressure Release Too many people or too much activity can increase pressure without meaning to. Be aware of the animals and their flight zones. Once you have entered their flight zone, pressure will often be significant enough to create movement. Move out of this flight zone to reward the correct response. There is no point applying consistent pressure when animals are already moving in the correct direction. DO NOT PENETRATE THE FLIGHT ZONE AND APPLY PRESSURE WHEN ANIMALS HAVE NOWHERE TO GO 10

12 3. Movement Movement of your body is a very effective way to create pressure and influence the direction of an animal. Tools that can be used to create movement are: a b Goads - such as the sheep/cattle talker. This is a stick with a flapper on the end. These tools are an extension of your body - they are NOT a tool to HIT animals. Human body - moving your body by either walking towards an animal (in a zig-zag position) or jumping up and down (no noise required) in the same position will create movement. Be aware that once the movement has been achieved, discontinue the action. For race work, move your body over the top of the race or put the sheep talker in the race and move in the opposite direction of the sheep. This will cause the sheep to move forward. YOU CANNOT MAKE AN ANIMAL GO WHERE IT DOES NOT WANT TO GO. IF IT HAS NOWHERE TO GO, YOU CAN APPLY PRESSURE TO INCREASE MOVEMENT IN THE DESIRED DIRECTION Please don t poke me- I have NOWHERE to go! 11

13 Livestock always move in a curved position when going in and out of gateways, pens and when humans have positioned themselves i.e. they curve around us. It is important to position yourself correctly in relation to the animal's eye, especially in relaton to their natural movement. Livestock always move in a curve when going in and out of gateways and pens. Position yourself so the animal curves around you, rather than blocking them. 4. Communication with the Animal and Work Mates Make sure that what you are asking livestock to do is made VERY clear to them. Question yourself - are you sending them the right message? It is very difficult to communicate with an animal that is fearful of you. Reduce the flight zone before trying to create any movement with wild animals. Do your workmates understand what you are trying to achieve? Working together as a team will create more effective movement and livestock handling. 12

14 Summary of important concepts Be aware of your obligations with respect to OIE Animal Welfare Standards Improving Animal Welfare will have commercial benefits for both the employee and employer Animals like their distance from us = FLIGHT ZONE Avoid entering the FLIGHT ZONE and creating aggressive reactions Sheep and cattle are herding and prey animals The most important member of the mob is the LEADER. They create movement and give direction Never apply so much pressure that you create an isolated animal. They become dangerous and difficult to control Position - always work on the side of an animal in relation to its eyes Whatever pressure is applied MUST always be released You cannot make an animal go where it does not want to Do NOT apply pressure to an animal that has NOWHERE to go Make sure you are communicating clearly with the animal and your work mates 13