Cattle Behavior

Cattle and sheep have wide panoramic vision. Cattle can see 360⁰ because their eyes are located on the sides of the head. However their depth perception is poor, and dark shadows may appear to them as solid objects.

In some situations it is recommended that races, force pens and unloading ramps should have solid fences to prevent animals from seeing distractions outside the fence with their wide-angle vision. Moving objects outside the fence will often frighten livestock. Cattle will also often baulk at a sudden change in fence construction or floor texture; puddles, shadows, drains, and bright spots can also impede animal movement.

Poor depth perception may explain why livestock baulk at many things. Livestock can perceive depth when they are still and have their heads down, but their ability to guage depth while they are moving with their heads up may be poor. To see depth accurately, the animal has to stop and put its head down.

Indoor cattle-handling facilities should have even light that minimises shadows. In general cattle will move more easily from a dimly illuminated area to a more brightly lit area. At night or in enclosed facilities, lamps can be used to attract animals into races or loading ramps but care should be taken to ensure that lights illuminate the floor without shining into the eyes of the approaching animals.

Livestock have sensitive hearing and are stressed by excessive noise. They are especially sensitive to high-frequency sounds. Wherever possible, it is recommended that measures be taken to reduce or prevent clanging and banging from gates etc.

If hydraulics or pneumatics are used to power a cattle crush, it is recommended that the pump, motor or compressor should be located away from the animals and the plumbing be designed to minimise noise.

Cattle held in a noisy yard environment are likely to be more active, leading to increased bruising when compared to cattle held in a quiet operating system.

People and cattle have a comfort/flight zone that affects their reactions. In many western cultures, 600mm is considered a comfort zone for conversing with another person. In some eastern regions of the world, 150mm is considered normal. In some situations you might observe a western speaker backing up to seek their comfort zone while an eastern person closes in to maintain their own contrasting comfort zone. Also consider that we typically turn and face someone who is talking to us. Just as we have some predictable behaviour, so do cattle. Understanding cattle behaviour can be very useful in designing cattle-handling facilities.

The flight zone (comfort zone) is the animal’s personal space. This zone may be 1.5-7m for tame cattle and up to 90m for wild cattle.

The flight zone increases when the approach is from the head and when cattle are excited. The flight zone decreases when animals are in a single-file race. Cattle will normally move effectively if the handler works on the edge of the flight zone. Deep invasion of the flight zone can cause animals to panic.

Position A is the location outside the flight zone where animals will stop moving forward.

Position B inside the flight zone will cause the animals to move away from the handler.

The handler can control the movement of cattle by taking a position in relation to the animal’s flight zone. If the handler takes a position at point A, which is outside the flight zone, the cattle will stop moving forward. If the handler moves to point B, which is inside the flight zone, the animal will move away from the handler.

Stock handlers need to understand both the flight zone and the point of balance. The point of balance for cattle is typically at the shoulder. To make an animal move forward, the handler should stand behind the point of balance. To move the animal backwards, the handler should stand in front of the point of balance. The animal may try to turn if the handler enters the animal’s blind spot – therefore don’t walk directly behind an animal, but off to the side so you can be seen.

Careful, quiet handling of cattle will help improve productivity. Stress imposed by handling and transport can have detrimental effects on weight gain, rumen function, reproductive function and the immune system. Quiet handling reduces stress-related meat quality problems, such as dark cuts.

The amount of stress imposed on an animal is an interaction involving previous experience and genetics. If an animal becomes very excited, 20 to 30 minutes is required for its heart rate to return to normal. In some situations, in may become necessary to leave the cattle to stand and calm down prior to further handing.

Horses usually kick directly from the rear. Cattle are round-house punchers, kicking forward and out to the side. Cows also have a tendency to kick towards a side with pain so if a cow is suffering from mastitis in one quarter, consider approaching her from the opposite side of the affliction. Calves can kick directly backwards and also have a quick round-house punch.

Cattle that are exhibiting maternal instincts are usually more defensive and difficult to handle. Removal from a familiar paddock or pen can cause animals to react unexpectedly. Shadows, yelling, contrast and lighting can further excite animals and make their behaviour unpredictable. Similar problems occur when animals are moved away from feed, separated from the herd or approached by an unfamiliar person.

It is usually easier to take two or three additional animals when you want to work only one of them. Never prod an animal when it has no place to go. Cattle that become upset during handling or that have had a bad disposition may adopt a ”fight” rather than a ”flight” behaviour. When entering an enclosed area with cattle, you should always consider your escape routes.

A curved race takes advantage of an animal’s natural behaviour to turn away from potential danger or unpleasant sights or sounds. A curved race prevents animals from seeing the crush or truck until they are almost upon it.

Cattle love to follow each other. Each animal should be able to see the one ahead of it. Gates farther up the race are recommended to be ”see-through” so the cattle can see the animal ahead. If the animal views a dead end it is likely to baulk.

Uniform lighting can help avoid shadows. Cattle in the dark will move toward the light. If you are loading at night use a frosted light in the truck or shine your flash light into the truck. Avoid glare in the animals’ faces. Livestock tend to baulk if they are forced into the sun. Position loading ramps and crushes north or south for summer handling.