Flight Zones Education and Training

86 Beef Breeder MANUAL

4.2.3. Flight Zones

The Flight Zone is the area around the animal, within which the animal will be prompted to respond, by moving, if the area is invaded by a perceived threat to its safety Fig. 4.7. In the case of cattle, a threat may include a person, an animal, or any other foreign object that can cause stress to the animal. The boundary of the light zone is the distance to which an animal will allow a handler to approach before moving away. The light zone corresponds to the animal’s safety or comfort zone, and understanding the size of this zone and how it can be manipulated are essential skills for animal handlers to master. Figure 4.7. Flight zones of cattle. Source: Meat Livestock Australia. 87 Cold Winter Climates For example, tame cattle have no light zone and will allow a handler to approach and touch them. However, cattle which are unaccustomed to people will turn and move away as a handler enters their light zone, which may be some distance from the animal. The light zone size is determined by three factors: • Genetics • The amount of contact cattle have previously had with people • The quality of that contact. While some individuals are inherently nervous when in close contact with people, most cattle which have been properly handled and educated are calm and can be handled during husbandry procedures with minimum stress.

4.2.4. Education and Training

Education and handling of cattle through yards is an important management practice and it is essential that young cattle undergo a program of yard familiarity, and an introduction to handling by people. Weaning is an ideal time to begin this education. Weaning cattle in yards provides an excellent opportunity to commence the handling and education process Refer Section 6.2.1. When weaning in the yards, calves receive supplementary feeding for at least two weeks after weaning, and during this time they can be quietly handled through cattle yards and in any small adjoining paddocks. This period provides the opportunity to introduce the cattle to the various handling and management procedures normally used, and the types of concentrates and supplementary feeds they are likely to be fed during their lifetime.

4.2.5. Moving Animals