ANIMAL HANDLING for Pork Producers - Pork Checkoff - National ...
Facilities and Equipment Listed below are things in chutes and ramps that can cause pigs to balk during loading/unloading and can become an animal welfare/safety/health problem. When building new chutes or ramps please take these into consideration. •
Change in equipment color
•
Holes/Gaps
•
Shadows
•
Poorly maintained cleats
•
Sharp edges
•
Uneven dock
•
Trash
•
Open outer walls
•
Trees in line of sight
•
Vehicle in line of sight
ANIMAL
Nylon Flag
HANDLING
for Pork Producers
Sorting Tools/Driving Aids The following is a list of sorting tools and (or) driving aids that will enable you move animals in a safe, humane and efficient manner. 1. Lightweight sorting boards 2. Plastic ribbons tied to sticks
Witch’s/Matador’s Cape Plastic Paddle
3. Nylon flags 4. Plastic paddles (look like plastic oars) 5. Witch’s cape made of lightweight plastic cloth (measures 60 in. long by 30 in. high) •
The use of electric prods is a stressful event and should be avoided or absolutely minimized.
•
Pigs should never be prodded in sensitive areas such as the eyes, nose, anus, testicles, etc.
•
If regular use of an electric prod is needed, reevaluate your handling procedures and facilities.
Lightweight Sorting Board
For additional information, the following resources are available from the Pork Checkoff: • Production Series: Effective Handling of Pigs • Transport Quality Assurance® Manual • Pork Quality Assurance Plus® Manual • www.pork.org References Grandin, T. 2003. The welfare of pigs during transport and slaughter. Pig News and Information:Review Article. 24:3 83N-90N. Grandin, T. 1989. Behavioral Principles of Livestock Handling. Professional Animal Scientist. Internet site, www.grandin.com.
National Pork Board 1776 NW 114th Street Des Moines, IA 50325 800-456-PORK • pork.org ©2008 National Pork Board, Des Moines, IA USA. This message funded by America’s Pork Checkoff Program. 03573-10/2008
pork.org | 800.456.PORK
Introduction Animal Welfare We are living in a day and age when animal well-being issues are a concern of consumer and retail groups. Due to these concerns, these groups hold packers, producers and animal handlers accountable for the well-being of the animal. Training on proper animal handling techniques provides a proactive position regarding animal well-being.
Using Animal Behavior and Natural Instincts to Move Pigs Understanding a pig’s natural instincts will help you to use proper handling and management techniques. An understanding of the behavior of livestock will facilitate handling, reduce stress, and improve both handler safety and animal welfare. This understanding will help to diminish the unnecessary losses in industry revenue associated with skin injures, bruising, fatigue and even sudden death. Pigs have a strong natural urge to escape.
Meat Quality Improper handling and transport of pigs are some of the largest profit-reducing issues facing the pork industry today. Most losses typically result from the events immediately before, during and after transport of the pig. Evidence of improper handling and/or transport can be seen through: • Carcass losses resulting from trimming off bruises • Pale, soft and exudative meat (PSE) • Dark, firm and dry meat (DFD) Estimates show that bruises alone can cost the U.S. pork industry millions of dollars per year and overall pork quality defects total several hundred million dollars annually.
Fitness of the Pig
Handling
1. Small visual gaps between pens, alleys, ramps, side gates, chutes or anywhere else may cause a pig to try to escape. 2. When trying to escape, pigs often injure themselves. Pigs have a natural tendency to follow each other. 1. Pigs have a natural tendency to follow each other and maintain visual or body contact. 2. In double runway chutes, pigs like to move up ramps side by side. 3. Singles chutes should be 16-18 inches wide for market pigs, keeping the animals in single file. Pigs are easily frightened during the loading process. 1. Keep in mind that pigs are unaware of your ultimate objective(s). 2. Watch for and remove: • Dangling chains • Slippery floors • Loose ramps and boards • Extremely bright lights • Loud noises and darkness
The outer sides of the ramp should be solid, but pigs should be able to see each other through the middle partition (see picture).
The point of balance is at the animal’s shoulder. 1. All species of livestock will move forward if the handler stands behind the point of balance. 2. All species of livestock will back up if the handler stands in front of the point of balance. 3. Many handlers make the mistake of standing in front of the point of balance while attempting to make an animal move forward in the chute.
The loading process can be an extremely stressful event in the life of the pig. Inappropriate handling techniques such as aggressive handling can exacerbate the stressfulness of these situations and potentially cause a condition that is detrimental to the entire body system. This condition is commonly referred to as “metabolic acidosis”.
4. To drive a pig forward, stand at an angle behind the animal, not directly behind it. As a producer, you must be able to identify the following signs of stress in a pig and take the appropriate action(s) when needed.
3. Other conditions that frighten pigs include: • Shadows • Water puddles • Drain gates • Shiny objects • Flapping/moving objects • Dogs or other animals • Clothing hanging on fences • Sunlight shining through a crack or hole • Sudden changes in the color of equipment
1. Open mouth breathing 2. Vocalization (squealing) 3. Blotchy skin 4. Stiffness
Excited pigs are more difficult to move than calm pigs.
5. Muscle tremors
Improper use of electric prods can cause severe stress, heart attacks and death.
Handling Ill, Injured or Fatigued Pigs During the Loading Process
The Flight Zone and Point of Balance An understanding of the flight zone and point of balance will help you move animals more easily and reduce or completely eliminate the chances of injury to your legs and back. The flight zone is the animal’s individual space. 1. The size of the flight zone is determined by the wildness or tameness of the animal. 2. Completely tame animals have no flight zone and people can touch them. 3. When you enter the flight zone, the animal will move away. 4. Stand at the outside edge of this zone when handling pigs.
Additional information needed to properly move livestock. 1. Move pigs in small groups of 3-5 at a time and move slowly, keeping in mind that you should be able to lean over and touch the lead pig. 2. Pigs naturally follow one another, so direct the first pig in the right direction and the others will follow. 3. It is not necessary to use an electronic prod on every animal. 4. If the animals are moving through the chute by themselves, leave them alone. 5. Often, pigs can be moved by tapping the side of the chute.
Prevention, preparation and prompt action are keys to the proper handling of pigs. The cause of fatigued pigs is not well understood. Good production practices along with proper handling and movement will reduce the incidence of fatigued pigs. A fatigued pig can be defined as having temporarily lost the ability to walk but has a reasonable expectation to recover full locomotion with rest. A resting area enables recovery by minimizing competition for feed and water and provides the opportunity for monitoring. If you are forced to deal with an ill, injured or fatigued animal, remember that your actions during these stressful events will have a profound impact upon the pig’s well being and pork quality. •
Swine that are ill, injured or fatigued must be handled in a humane manner.
•
Producers should seek to prevent illness and injuries by feeding nutritionally sound diets, maintaining effective health programs, providing good facilities and proper handling, and selecting genetically and structurally sound breeding stock.
•
Professional assistance should be sought from qualified individuals (PQA Plus® Advisors, veterinarians or animal scientists), who understand swine production and welfare, to determine protocols for handling and movement of pigs.
•
The position of the National Pork Board is that any animal that is unable to walk, ill or significantly injured, should not be transported to market channels. Where the likelihood of recovery is low, even with treatment, the animal should be euthanized.
Change in equipment color
•
Holes/Gaps
•
Shadows
•
Poorly maintained cleats
•
Sharp edges
•
Uneven dock
•
Trash
•
Open outer walls
•
Trees in line of sight
•
Vehicle in line of sight
ANIMAL
Nylon Flag
HANDLING
for Pork Producers
Sorting Tools/Driving Aids The following is a list of sorting tools and (or) driving aids that will enable you move animals in a safe, humane and efficient manner. 1. Lightweight sorting boards 2. Plastic ribbons tied to sticks
Witch’s/Matador’s Cape Plastic Paddle
3. Nylon flags 4. Plastic paddles (look like plastic oars) 5. Witch’s cape made of lightweight plastic cloth (measures 60 in. long by 30 in. high) •
The use of electric prods is a stressful event and should be avoided or absolutely minimized.
•
Pigs should never be prodded in sensitive areas such as the eyes, nose, anus, testicles, etc.
•
If regular use of an electric prod is needed, reevaluate your handling procedures and facilities.
Lightweight Sorting Board
For additional information, the following resources are available from the Pork Checkoff: • Production Series: Effective Handling of Pigs • Transport Quality Assurance® Manual • Pork Quality Assurance Plus® Manual • www.pork.org References Grandin, T. 2003. The welfare of pigs during transport and slaughter. Pig News and Information:Review Article. 24:3 83N-90N. Grandin, T. 1989. Behavioral Principles of Livestock Handling. Professional Animal Scientist. Internet site, www.grandin.com.
National Pork Board 1776 NW 114th Street Des Moines, IA 50325 800-456-PORK • pork.org ©2008 National Pork Board, Des Moines, IA USA. This message funded by America’s Pork Checkoff Program. 03573-10/2008
pork.org | 800.456.PORK
Introduction Animal Welfare We are living in a day and age when animal well-being issues are a concern of consumer and retail groups. Due to these concerns, these groups hold packers, producers and animal handlers accountable for the well-being of the animal. Training on proper animal handling techniques provides a proactive position regarding animal well-being.
Using Animal Behavior and Natural Instincts to Move Pigs Understanding a pig’s natural instincts will help you to use proper handling and management techniques. An understanding of the behavior of livestock will facilitate handling, reduce stress, and improve both handler safety and animal welfare. This understanding will help to diminish the unnecessary losses in industry revenue associated with skin injures, bruising, fatigue and even sudden death. Pigs have a strong natural urge to escape.
Meat Quality Improper handling and transport of pigs are some of the largest profit-reducing issues facing the pork industry today. Most losses typically result from the events immediately before, during and after transport of the pig. Evidence of improper handling and/or transport can be seen through: • Carcass losses resulting from trimming off bruises • Pale, soft and exudative meat (PSE) • Dark, firm and dry meat (DFD) Estimates show that bruises alone can cost the U.S. pork industry millions of dollars per year and overall pork quality defects total several hundred million dollars annually.
Fitness of the Pig
Handling
1. Small visual gaps between pens, alleys, ramps, side gates, chutes or anywhere else may cause a pig to try to escape. 2. When trying to escape, pigs often injure themselves. Pigs have a natural tendency to follow each other. 1. Pigs have a natural tendency to follow each other and maintain visual or body contact. 2. In double runway chutes, pigs like to move up ramps side by side. 3. Singles chutes should be 16-18 inches wide for market pigs, keeping the animals in single file. Pigs are easily frightened during the loading process. 1. Keep in mind that pigs are unaware of your ultimate objective(s). 2. Watch for and remove: • Dangling chains • Slippery floors • Loose ramps and boards • Extremely bright lights • Loud noises and darkness
The outer sides of the ramp should be solid, but pigs should be able to see each other through the middle partition (see picture).
The point of balance is at the animal’s shoulder. 1. All species of livestock will move forward if the handler stands behind the point of balance. 2. All species of livestock will back up if the handler stands in front of the point of balance. 3. Many handlers make the mistake of standing in front of the point of balance while attempting to make an animal move forward in the chute.
The loading process can be an extremely stressful event in the life of the pig. Inappropriate handling techniques such as aggressive handling can exacerbate the stressfulness of these situations and potentially cause a condition that is detrimental to the entire body system. This condition is commonly referred to as “metabolic acidosis”.
4. To drive a pig forward, stand at an angle behind the animal, not directly behind it. As a producer, you must be able to identify the following signs of stress in a pig and take the appropriate action(s) when needed.
3. Other conditions that frighten pigs include: • Shadows • Water puddles • Drain gates • Shiny objects • Flapping/moving objects • Dogs or other animals • Clothing hanging on fences • Sunlight shining through a crack or hole • Sudden changes in the color of equipment
1. Open mouth breathing 2. Vocalization (squealing) 3. Blotchy skin 4. Stiffness
Excited pigs are more difficult to move than calm pigs.
5. Muscle tremors
Improper use of electric prods can cause severe stress, heart attacks and death.
Handling Ill, Injured or Fatigued Pigs During the Loading Process
The Flight Zone and Point of Balance An understanding of the flight zone and point of balance will help you move animals more easily and reduce or completely eliminate the chances of injury to your legs and back. The flight zone is the animal’s individual space. 1. The size of the flight zone is determined by the wildness or tameness of the animal. 2. Completely tame animals have no flight zone and people can touch them. 3. When you enter the flight zone, the animal will move away. 4. Stand at the outside edge of this zone when handling pigs.
Additional information needed to properly move livestock. 1. Move pigs in small groups of 3-5 at a time and move slowly, keeping in mind that you should be able to lean over and touch the lead pig. 2. Pigs naturally follow one another, so direct the first pig in the right direction and the others will follow. 3. It is not necessary to use an electronic prod on every animal. 4. If the animals are moving through the chute by themselves, leave them alone. 5. Often, pigs can be moved by tapping the side of the chute.
Prevention, preparation and prompt action are keys to the proper handling of pigs. The cause of fatigued pigs is not well understood. Good production practices along with proper handling and movement will reduce the incidence of fatigued pigs. A fatigued pig can be defined as having temporarily lost the ability to walk but has a reasonable expectation to recover full locomotion with rest. A resting area enables recovery by minimizing competition for feed and water and provides the opportunity for monitoring. If you are forced to deal with an ill, injured or fatigued animal, remember that your actions during these stressful events will have a profound impact upon the pig’s well being and pork quality. •
Swine that are ill, injured or fatigued must be handled in a humane manner.
•
Producers should seek to prevent illness and injuries by feeding nutritionally sound diets, maintaining effective health programs, providing good facilities and proper handling, and selecting genetically and structurally sound breeding stock.
•
Professional assistance should be sought from qualified individuals (PQA Plus® Advisors, veterinarians or animal scientists), who understand swine production and welfare, to determine protocols for handling and movement of pigs.
•
The position of the National Pork Board is that any animal that is unable to walk, ill or significantly injured, should not be transported to market channels. Where the likelihood of recovery is low, even with treatment, the animal should be euthanized.
