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The Rural Voice, 2001-11, Page 23likely to attack people than bull calves raised in individual pens. Bull calves raised on a cow were the least likely to attack. When they are raised with their bwn kind, they know who they are and they are less likely to think that people are part of the herd. Grandin advises using this research to help create safer bulls. When calves are six or eight weeks old, they should be put in group pens. If there are no bull calves available for pen mates, a young bull should be raised with steer calves that are older and heavier. It is best to teach animals when they are young what are the appropriate interactions with people, Grandin says. The animals need to learn to respect your space and that you will pet them or feed them on your terms. Only offer feed when the animal respects your space. The major causes of bull attacks are mistaken identity, she says. A bull will perform a broadside threat prior to attack. He will stand sideways so the person or other bull can see how big and powerful he is. Sometimes a person can make a bull back off by responding with the human variation of a broadside threat which for people is a frontal stance. You could choose instead to back slowly away from the bull but never run away, Grandin advises. People who work with animals must not misinterpret motivation, Grandin says. A horse that bucks during training or a cow that struggles in a squeeze chute is motivated by fear. When a bull attacks, the behaviour is motivated by true aggression. Punishing a fearful animal will make it worse, where punishing an aggressive or disobedient animal may be appropriate in some situations, she says. How can you tell if a cattle beast or horse is becoming fearful and agitated? Both animals will start twitching their tails when they become fearful. As the animal becomes increasingly agitated, the tail will lash back and forth faster and faster. The Canadian Federation of Agriculture has created a poster (with support from Pioneer HiBred) outlining .12 tips for safe livestock handling. The tips include: • Speak softly in a low voice and avoid startling the animal and announce your presence well before getting close to it. • Be calm and deliberate when working with an animal and avoid sudden, quick movements as they can startle the animal. • Wear the appropriate footwear for your activity: steel -toed boots with metatarsal (mid -foot) guards protect your feet while handling most livestock, and boots with heels when horseback riding. • Be patient and respect animals. They can be unpredictable and their size and weight make then potentially dangerous to you. • Become familiar with the kick zone and blind spot of the species you AMR are dealing with as they vary from one type of animal to the next. • When moving livestock, ensure there is adequate lighting because shadows can "spook" an animal. • Keep facilities in good repair. Ensure that floors, chutes and ramps have non -slip surfaces and that ramp slopes are gradual. • Don't overfill holding pens. A pen should not be more than one-half to three-quarters full so that animals can be moved and sorted quietly. Always have an escape route when working with livestock in confined areas. • Become familiar with the flight zone of the species you are dealing with as this can vary from one type of animal to the next. • Most male animals can be dangerous. They require special facilities and extreme caution should be practiced when handling them. • Most animals tend to be aggressive when protecting their young. Be extra careful around newborn animals. • Animals, particularly cattle, can become stressed and unpredictable if they are separated from the herd or put into unfamiliar situations, like being shown at a fair. Always be cautious in these circumstances.0 Resources: Dr. Temple Grandin has her own website at www.grandin.com. Among many articles on the site are tips on how to make use of cattle psychology to move cattle without stress. Need Power? Have tract s� . No proble:;,. DRUMMOND PTO driven generators G)) DRUMMOND PTO GENERATORS DAIRY SUPPLY LTD. 10 to 135 KW - Single or Three Phase • Heavy-duty brushless dual -bearing generator • Solid state voltage regulator • Breaker protection • Integral gearbox • Frequency meter • Full load capacity outlet Mildmay (#308 Bruce Cty. Rd. 16) 519-367-5595 NOVEMBER 2001 21 1