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Facilities, breed and experience affect ease of sheep handling: the livestock transporter’s perspective

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  15 April 2015

C. L. Burnard ,
W. S. Pitchford ,
J. E. Hocking Edwards  and
S. J. Hazel
C. L. Burnard*
Affiliation:
Cooperative Research Centre for Sheep Industry Innovation, Armidale, NSW 2351, Australia School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, The University of Adelaide, Roseworthy, SA 5371, Australia
W. S. Pitchford
Affiliation:
School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, The University of Adelaide, Roseworthy, SA 5371, Australia
J. E. Hocking Edwards
Affiliation:
Cooperative Research Centre for Sheep Industry Innovation, Armidale, NSW 2351, Australia South Australian Research Development Institute, Struan Research Centre, Naracoorte, SA 5271, Australia
S. J. Hazel
Affiliation:
School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, The University of Adelaide, Roseworthy, SA 5371, Australia
*
†E-mail: cathy.burnard@adelaide.edu.au
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Abstract

An understanding of the perceived importance of a variety of factors affecting the ease of handling of sheep and the interactions between these factors is valuable in improving profitability and welfare of the livestock. Many factors may contribute to animal behaviour during handling, and traditionally these factors have been assessed in isolation under experimental conditions. A human social component to this phenomenon also exists. The aim of this study was to gain a deeper understanding of the importance of a variety of factors affecting ease of handling, and the interactions between these from the perspective of the livestock transporter. Qualitative interviews were used to investigate the factors affecting sheep behaviour during handling. Interview transcripts underwent thematic analysis. Livestock transporters discussed the effects of attitudes and behaviours towards sheep, helpers, facilities, distractions, environment, dogs and a variety of sheep factors including breed, preparation, experience and sex on sheep behaviour during handling. Transporters demonstrated care and empathy and stated that patience and experience were key factors determining how a person might deal with difficult sheep. Livestock transporters strongly believed facilities (ramps and yards) had the greatest impact, followed by sheep experience (naivety of the sheep to handling and transport) and breed. Transporters also discussed the effects of distractions, time of day, weather, dogs, other people, sheep preparation, body condition and sheep sex on ease of handling. The concept of individual sheep temperament was indirectly expressed.

Keywords

ovinehusbandryqualitativeinterviewbehaviour
Type
Research Article
Information
animal , Volume 9 , Supplement 8 , August 2015 , pp. 1379 - 1385
Copyright
© The Animal Consortium 2015 

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