IACUC Learning Module - Cattle |
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Meat and dairy breeds of cattle have been developed through selective
breeding of two species, Bos taurus (European breeds)
and Bos indicus (Zebu and Brahmin breeds). Intact males
are called bulls, castrated males are steers, females that have
not had babies are called heifers, females after having babies
are cows and the young are called calves.
Ruminants require fiber or roughage to ensure proper function of the rumen. Healthy cattle spend considerable time, from eight to nine hours each day in scattered periods of activity, ruminating, usually lying down in sternal recumbency. They need peace and quiet to ruminate. |
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Cattle, like sheep, tend to be herd-bound; that is, when one animal is separated from the herd, it will attempt to run back into the herd. However, like goats, cattle will scatter into many small groups when running from a threat rather than staying together in one flock as do sheep. When handled frequently and gently, most cattle become tractable. |
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Newer handling facilities are generally designed as a system
of curved, solid walled chutes, since cattle will keep moving
ahead around curves so long as they can't see their handlers or
other obstacles. The entrance to the chutes should be
funnel-shaped, or a round pen. Older facilities have straight
corners and cattle tend to stop and balk at these places. It is
perfectly normal and a deficit in the design of the facility, it
is not the cattle being stubborn or stupid.
Be prepared that cattle will also balk at places where shadows fall across the handling chute. Their eyes perceive these shadows to be holes in the floor. It is reasonable that they will stop and proceed more cautiously. Be prepared for such behavior and do not overreact by becoming more aggressive and loud (which will simply make the cattle more difficult to move). |
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| Cattle work easier and faster with a few, well trained, quiet handlers, rather than with many, loud, cowboy "want-a-be's" equipped with electric prods. If you are new to working cattle, show your willingness to help by asking where you should stand and what you should do. You are no help if you make lots of noise and run around waving your hands. |
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The best way to move cattle is to keep the area where you want them to move,
open and clear, and then quietly move behind them.
They will instinctively move away from you and toward the open area where you want them to go. Most cattle will move forward if you simply move your body to be anywhere behind the animal's shoulder. There is no need to yell, pound on the animal with sticks, or use electric prods. To move an animal left, simply stand toward the right of the midline. If you wish the animal to stop moving forward, simply stand in front of the head. |
Steer moving forward. Handlers behind shoulder. |
Steer stopped. Handler in front of shoulder. |
 Tail jack |
If an animal balks and will not move forward, place the tail
up and over the midline of the back, and apply moderate pressure.
The most common mistake you see is a handler standing at the
front of the animal, yelling, poking and electric prodding the
animal's head or neck. Thousands of years of evolution have bred
this animal not to move toward danger! Calm down.
Get behind the animal and then if needed, apply gentle persuasion with the tail jack. |
Cattle that are routinely handled should be halter broken and trained to lead. An adjustable rope halter works well.
Recumbent cattle usually will not rise unless you approach too closely. Cattle stand by raising their hind end first, rocking back and up onto their front knees and lastly unfolding their front legs.
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