Checking livestock

1. Livestock observation

2. Animal welfare
Animal welfare or animal well-being refers to the
physical and mental health of animals.
When we talk about animal welfare we are usually
referring to how well an animal is adapted
to/coping with the environment in which it lives,
both physically and emotionally (mentally).

3. There are several reasons to be concerned about
animal welfare:
• Poor animal welfare impacts on animal production
and reproduction
• Poor animal welfare can result in loss of market
access
• Legislation requires livestock owners to care for the
welfare of their animals
• Livestock are capable of feeling pain and having a
desire for a pleasurable life (they are sentient or
have feelings)

4. Loss of production
When an animal is placed in an environment (housing,
food, water, social contact, climate or handling) that fails to
fully provide for all its' needs, the animal's body must act to
compensate. The bodily and behavioural mechanisms
used to 'cope', divert energy away from non-essential
functions, such as growth, reproduction and production,
towards maintaining the animal's internal environment.
Therefore poor welfare can result in losses in growth,
production and reproduction.

5. Everyone has a duty of care for
animals in their charge, and
responsibility as members of the
community for the welfare of
animals

6. Livestock are sentient
This means they feel pain and suffer.
Research over the past 30 years has enabled scientists
to determine that all livestock species (and fish) have
the necessary brain structures and nervous system to
allow them to feel pain and suffer.
Pain and suffering are forms of stress on the animal
and stressed animals can show compromised growth,
production and reproduction.
In addition, research has indicated that all livestock
species are capable of comprehending and desiring
pleasurable experiences.

7. Vocali-
sation
Grinding
Teeth
Reluctance
to Move
Rapid/
Shallow
Breathing
Isolation
from
Group
Mates/
Unrespon
sive to
Social
Contact
Foot
Stamping
Abnormal
Posture
or
Frequent
Postural
Changes
Head
Tucked/
Eyes
Closed
Decreased
Production
Cattle X X X X X
Pigs X X X X X X
Sheep X X X X
Goats X X X X X X X
Poultry X X X
General signs of pain in livestock:
The following table displays, scientifically observed, common signs of pain in different livestock species.
X indicates that this species commonly displays this type of behaviour when in pain.
This is not an exhaustive list and it should be noted that some animals
could display all of these symptoms.

8. How to ensure livestock have good welfare:
Some basic guidelines:
Regular Surveillance of Stock:
Check your stock regularly - all stock should be inspected on a regular basis.
For intensively housed livestock it is recommended that you inspect your
animals at least 1-2 times per day. For extensively housed livestock it is
recommended that you inspect your stock at least once every 1-2 days.
Regular surveillance enables rapid identification of changes in stock welfare.
You become familiar with your stock and their behavioural patterns, making it
easier to identify changes.

9. Behavioural change is often the first sign that the welfare of an
individual animal or a group of animals is being compromised.
If you notice that your animal(s) behaviour has changed, then it is
time to do some further investigation by approaching and
catching/yarding the animal(s) affected.
Check feed, water and shelter access regularly

10. Housing and Husbandry
Ensure your housing and husbandry practices meet, at least, the minimum
requirements set out in the Code of Practice.
Codes of practice are available for all livestock industries and peripheral
industries, such as Saleyards, Transporting Livestock, and Dogs.
While the Codes of Practice are currently not enforceable by law, livestock
owners failing to meet the minimum requirements can be subject to
prosecution for causing unreasonable pain or suffering to an animal.
Therefore, it is important to obtain a copy of the code of practice for your
livestock species and ensure your housing and husbandry is, at the very least,
of minimum standard.

11. When checking livestock, look for these signs
• Sudden loss of appetite
• General appearance of ill health – eg sunken eyes, dry nose, lethargy
• Separation for the mob/flock, lying down
• Bloating ie swelling of abdomen on left side of body
• Anxiety – eg kicking at stomach, restlessness
• Weight loss
• Changes to coat/fibre colour – eg dullness
• Lower production levels - eg reduced milk production, break in wool fibre
• Unusual behaviour
• Scouring
Any of these signs should be investigated and treated