Handling Facilities
General Design
The feedlot must display design components that clearly demonstrate a consideration for the welfare of the animals. Examples are scored flooring on high traffic areas, windbreaks, proper lighting in critical areas, a degree of cleanliness and maintenance that reflects a desirable attitude.
High Traffic Areas
The following high traffic areas must be ready to accept cattle in a safe manner:
- Unloading chute and alleyway
- Any 90 degree angle
- Crowd tubs
- Exit from the squeeze chutes
- Loadout tubs and chutes
- Concrete alleyways
- Walk-on cattle scales
Traction must be supplied in these areas at all times.
Lighting
- High traffic areas such as the tub exit into the snake of the entrance to the scale must be well lit to avoid fear related injuries to the cattle in the tub.
- The hospital and processing barns must be well lit to encourage adequate flow of cattle through the system.
Squeeze Chutes, Tubs and Snakes
- All squeeze chutes must be designed and maintained to acceptable industry standards.
- Chutes and snakes must be properly set to accept the size of cattle being moved through the system.
- Power (hydraulic) squeeze chutes must be carefully maintained in the following critical areas:
- Hydraulic pressure must be fast enough to make the catch while retaining enough pressure to restrain the animal but PSI must not exceed a safe value (see manufacturers recommendations) that will not harm the animal if used properly.
- Headgates must be designed to avoid choke and horn injury.
- Neck extensions must be designed to avoid injury to cattle.
- Head and tailgate movement must not allow cattle to get feet caught in the stroke.
- Traction must be built-in to the chute
