Facilities

Handling facilities should be designed to minimise stress and avoid causing injury during handling. Designs which encourage natural behaviour will reduce the amount of effort required from the operator. In designing facilities, the requirements of both the animals and the operators need to be considered. It should always be remembered that, however good the handling system, the skill and attitude of the operator is critical in maintaining high standards of welfare.

Animal factors

To minimise stress to animals during handling procedures, handlers should ensure that:

• The animal’s natural behaviour is utilised
• The animals can walk at their own speed
• The surrounding environment is kept calm
• There are minimal distractions (including from noise and light)

To protect the animals from slipping and falling, handling systems should have floors made with non-slip surfaces (which are also non-abrasive). All other surfaces however should be smooth to help avoid injuries. The sides of walkways should have no protrusions or sharp edges and be built so there is a uniform appearance with no gaps or visible joins that might lead to baulking.

Animals prefer to move from darker to lighter areas. This should be taken into consideration, especially when loading animals for transport, as it is often darker inside transport vehicles than at the loading area.

In a well-designed and well-run handling system, animals will not become trapped or jammed and there should be no routine need for electric goads or other forceful handling aids. All systems should be designed to prevent injury and to keep animals calm whilst passing through them.

All systems should be designed to direct the animal down one clear route with minimal distractions. This will prevent confusion and stop the animals from turning and baulking, or refusing to move forward.

Construction

Handling facilities should be robust, durable, hygienic and easy to use. They must be suitable for use in dirty, dusty, humid and/or wet environments and be able to be cleaned by power-washing equipment and disinfectant.

Handling systems will be more readily used by staff if they require minimal, simple maintenance and there is easy access to all parts.

Always keep the animal’s perspective in mind and keep the handling system simple.

Next: Loading and Unloading Ramps

Further information can be found in the publication Design of Facilities at Livestock Markets.