Safe Livestock Transportation: Guidelines for Ensuring Animal Welfare

It’s likely that at some point as a livestock keeper, you will have to transfer animals. Just like any other farmer, you have to abide by the laws that apply to the transportation of cattle. It is legally required of farmers to make sure that the way their animals are transported doesn’t result in harm or needless suffering.

Since animals are strongly impacted by temperature changes while in travel, moving animals is best done in the early morning or late evening. Pigs are more susceptible to dying in high environmental conditions. Maintaining a steady speed is crucial, particularly while making steep corners.

The person in charge of cattle transportation has an obligation to make sure the trip is done cautiously, avoiding abrupt pauses and starts, as well as any unnecessary delays.

It is critical to maintain the safety of animals and to avoid harm and unnecessary suffering during loading, transportation, and unloading.

More information on the specific measures that must be completed can be found below:

Animals must be securely fastened and protected from any unsecured or inadequate fittings during transit. This precaution protects animals from falling, slipping, and being jostled.

It is critical to utilize appropriate constraints, like as harnesses or crates, to ensure their safety. Tight fittings also decrease the chance of animals injuring one another or themselves owing to unstable situations.

Animal weather safety: Animals require protection against both hot and cold weather extremes. In colder temperatures,

Adequate insulation and protection against freezing temperatures should be given. This could include employing the appropriate bedding, insulation, or blankets to keep the temperature inside the transport vehicle comfortable.

To avoid overheating in hotter climates, provide shade, ventilation, and access to water. Prolonged exposure to extreme temperatures can cause stress, heatstroke, hypothermia, and other weather-related health conditions.

Providing appropriate ventilation: Animals carried in restricted places require adequate ventilation to maintain a steady flow of fresh air. This helps to keep the temperature comfortable while also reducing the development of ammonia and other toxic gasses from urine and feces.

Ventilation systems should be constructed to avoid drafts, as rapid changes in air circulation can cause stress in animals.

Furthermore, ventilation systems should take into account the unique needs of various animal species to ensure optimal air quality and comfort during transit.

Important factors to consider when transporting cattle on your farm:

• Prepare the livestock.
• Check the identification, declaration, and relocation criteria.
• Check that the cattle is ready to load.
• Ensure that your mode of transportation is appropriate.
• Transport and unload livestock carefully.

Transporting unfit animals or those who are likely to give birth

Because there are growing concerns to the health and welfare of unfit animals or those who are about to give birth, many jurisdictions have banned or restricted the transportation of these animals. If you must move them, you should adhere to the following rules:

Water, food, and overall maintenance:

Feed, water, and general care must be provided by the vehicle’s owner or driver while it is being transported. Throughout the trip, they have to make sure the animals have access to appropriate and sufficient amounts of food and water.

To avoid dehydration, malnourishment, and other health problems, animals’ unique dietary and hydration requirements must be satisfied.

connected medical issues. In addition to routinely monitoring the animals’ health, general care entails treating any indications of discomfort or suffering.

Supply of a companion:

The owner or driver is in charge of providing a travel companion for the animals. It is the companion’s responsibility to keep an eye on the animals, see to their welfare, and deal with any issues or crises that may come up while traveling. The companion should have previous expertise with animals and be taught to identify symptoms of illness, stress, or damage.

Avoiding pain and injury:

Animals shouldn’t be crammed into vehicles too closely in order to preserve their comfort and lessen the chance of injury or suffering. Increased stress, restricted mobility, inadequate ventilation, and other adverse consequences might result from crowding.

Every animal needs enough space to be able to stand, lay down, and turn around without feeling crowded. In order to prevent traffic jams and preserve a safe and appropriate environment, the animals should be loaded and arranged properly.

Separation of animals during transportation:

Goats and sheep shouldn’t be carried with cattle. Compared to cattle, sheep and goats have different needs, habits, and vulnerabilities. When these species are transported together, there may be more stress, injury, and competition for resources.

Sheep and goats are more agile than cattle, therefore larger, less nimble animals risk trampling or hurting them. It is suggested that

To avoid any conflicts and guarantee the well being of all animals, carry sheep and goats apart from cattle.

Pigs and other species should never be transported in the same vehicle, whether separated or not. Pigs differ from other species in that they have unique habits and physiological needs.

Pigs transported in mixed groups with other animals may exhibit hostile behavior, sustain injuries, or even engage in cannibalism. Due to their territorial nature, pigs may exhibit discomfort or aggression when housed alongside unfamiliar animals.

Transporting pigs separately, either in designated trucks or compartments, is advised to avoid these problems and guarantee the wellbeing of pigs and other animals.

It is not advisable to carry cows with nursing calves alongside a bull that is older than ten months. Older bulls in particular can be dangerous for nursing cows and calves that are still nursing. Bulls are known to behave aggressively, which can upset and even hurt the young calves and their moms.

It is advised to keep bulls older than 10 months apart from cows carrying nursing calves when they are being transported in order to prevent accidents and guarantee the security of the calves and nursing cows.

It is not recommended to carry sows or mother pigs with piglets or young pigs with a boar or male pig older than six months. Piglets, young pigs, and nursing sows may face aggression from boars, especially those that have reached maturity.

combining sows and boars, and their youth can result in harm and anxiety. It is advisable to move the sows, young pigs, and piglets apart from the boars to minimize stress and ensure their protection.

A stallion should never be carried alongside a mare and a foal. Stallions have the tendency to act aggressively and territorially toward other horses, especially mares and foals. Keeping stallions apart from mares and foals during transit reduces the risk of accidents and promotes a more tranquil atmosphere for all the horses.

The following rules and guidelines are designed to safeguard the safety, comfort, and general well-being of animals during the loading, transportation, and unloading processes:

Using equipment such as car ramps:

Vehicle ramps or other suitable equipment that is not attached to the vehicle itself, like loading banks or specialized lifting gear, should be used to load and unload animals. This minimizes the possibility of falls, slips, and other accidents during the procedure by ensuring a seamless and controlled transition.

Animals can be safely assisted onto or off the truck by having separate ramps or equipment, which reduces their stress and potential danger.

Using appropriate materials to create non-slip surfaces:

It is recommended to build a non-slip surface with sand, dry grass, or other appropriate materials if the vehicle flooring is not intended to be non-slip. This prevents animals from shifting throughout the loading and unloading process from falling and getting injured.

Restriction on crowding:

To avoid harm and needless suffering, it is legally forbidden to overcrowd animals when they are being transported. Every animal should have enough room to stand, lay down, and turn around without discomfort.

Stress, limited mobility, elevated body temperature, and the possibility of animal injuries or trampling are all consequences of overcrowding. The wellbeing of the animals is the top priority when it comes to space.

Provision of food and water:

During transit, animals must have access to enough food and clean water. Food and water should be given on a regular basis, with feedings spaced no more than 12 hours apart. Nevertheless, if the trip is finished in feed and water can be given right away, fifteen hours after the previous meal. By meeting the animals’ dietary and water demands, this guarantees that they will travel with improved wellbeing.

Transporting animals that are unsuitable and those that will give birth:

In general, animals that are deemed unsuited for travel or those are anticipated to give birth while traveling are not permitted to go unless a veterinarian’s written consent is acquired. The purpose of this restriction is to safeguard the health and wellbeing of these animals, as their susceptibility to injury, stress, or difficulties during transit may increase.

Obtaining veterinary authorization guarantees that the unique requirements and hazards linked with the expectant animal are duly considered.

Addressing unsuited animals on the journey:

If an animal becomes unfit during the travel, it should be sent to the nearest facility for treatment or slaughter. This makes sure that animals that are in danger or have serious health problems are taken care of right away, either so they can get the care they need or so they can be killed humanely to stop their suffering.

Taking care of carcasses:

Transporting deceased animals in the same vehicles as living ones is not recommended, unless the animals were killed or went into cardiac arrest during the trip. When carcasses are delivered, they ought to be disposed of in the closest site apart from the living animals. Through this process, potential health risks, pollution, or suffering are avoided for living animals.

Conclusion:

Finally, as a conscientious livestock keeper, you must emphasize the welfare of your animals throughout transit. Compliance with applicable legislation and norms can help to assure their safety, comfort, and overall well-being throughout the voyage.

We can reduce the danger of injury, stress, and suffering by adopting precautions such as securely fastening animals, providing weather protection, ensuring enough ventilation, and avoiding overcrowded conditions. Furthermore, recognizing the unique needs of different species and isolating incompatible animals during transportation improves their welfare.

The use of proper equipment, non-slip surfaces, adequate space, and provisions for feed and water are all critical factors. Recognizing the necessity of moving healthy animals and obtaining veterinary authorization when necessary indicates our commitment to their well-being and risk minimization.

Remember, transportation is an important component of animal care, and every effort should be taken to ensure that it is done with the highest care for the animals involved. By being knowledgeable, prepared, and empathetic, we may improve the lives of the animals we care for while also upholding the values of responsible livestock keeping.