- Bulls that were not raised together will mount each other to establish a hierarchy. Mounting among bulls is a form of dominance. This behavior can risk serious injury to the animals as they can fall and seriously bruise. Ideal is to keep bulls in individual pens. Should this not be possible, then set up anti-mounting equipment such as overhead metal bars to create a “lower” ceiling.
Anti-mounting bars built above will prevent mounting.
Mounting can cause serious injury and bruising.
A refuge (semi-ceiling) for the bulls to stand under to prevent others from mounting them.
- Animals see contrast in colour and texture as something potentially risky to walk over, and will thus hesitate to move forward. An animal can think that a shallow puddle is in fact a really deep and dangerous water-pit. A sudden black area on a light-coloured floor may appear as a deep hole to an animal. For this reason, it is important to make the flooring throughout the area where live animals are kept the same colour and similar texture- from the unloading ramp to the chute!
- The floor must be anti-slip. Keep the floor clean and as dry as possible. This avoids that animals slip and fall (very bad indication if they do!) and also keeps fly population down. Never let the floors become covered in urine and faeces. Assign someone to be in charge of regularly cleaning the floor.
Placing calcium over wet areas will keep the flies down.
- Always provide fresh water in the lairage area so all animals have the opportunity to drink. Have an employee responsible for checking the cleanliness of the water (there should be no manure, bedding or algae growth!) and filling them up when necessary.
- When the fence is lower than the animals inside, some will attempt to jump it. Jumping over a fence can risk serious injury and suffering. The cow in this photo attempted to jump the fence and got stuck. It was very difficult to release her and afterwards she could only walk on 3 legs. Make fencing at least 20cm higher than the tallest animals to be lairaged.
