Low Stress Cattle Handling Secrets

Tips for low-stress livestock handling, plus an inside look at a new squeeze chute that might be helpful.

Reader Contribution by James White
Published on January 12, 2017
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by Adobestock/Clint Austin

I’ve recently been reading through Humane Livestock Handling by Temple Grandin to better understand and move my growing herd of cattle. I’m learning that low stress cattle handling is the key to better profits and less risk around my herd as my staff and I get older and a little slower!

It has become a topic of discussion within my community.

Here are a few low stress cattle handling highlights:

  • The position of a cattle’s front hooves will indicate the direction they are most likely to go. For example, if their right front hoof is back then the cow is most likely wanting to go back that way. So you can change their direction by how you position their front feet. This also drives home the point that it’s important to keep your eye on the cattle and they will tell you where you need to be to move them.
  • Before trying to get close to a cow, you want to make sure the cow calms down. Each cow feels differently about how comfortable it is with your proximity. You can get your cow to move and react based on your position to the cow. See this video on low stress cattle handling.
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