Species Characteristics

Domestic livestock display different behavioural characteristics that reflect what they needed for survival in the differing environments in which they evolved.

Sheep

Sheep are very social ‘follower’ type animals. From the first hour after birth when they start walking, lambs will instinctively move towards and follow large moving objects, usually their mothers. As they get older they will learn to differentiate and recognise their mother by sound, sight and smell.

Sheep are prey animals and have highly developed senses to keep them alert to danger. This includes wide, panoramic vision that allows them to continually monitor their environment for potential danger and see moving objects at long distances, though not in great detail. For example, they can see a moving dog (a potential predator) a long way off but will not react to one that is standing still. They always try to maintain visual contact with at least one other sheep and if they lose contact they will immediately try to restore it. An isolated sheep may run or jump at, and even knock down, a person between it and another sheep or the rest of the flock. Like cattle, they have good hearing and sudden noises startle them. Generally docile, sheep can be relatively easy to handle but their flighty, nervous nature can cause problems.

Cattle

Cattle are social animals which naturally live in groups. They have a social hierarchy which becomes established over time; consequently any changes to the group can lead to aggressive behaviour and fighting as the social-order is re-established. They have a tendency to follow one another and are more easily moved and handled as a group than as individuals. In any group there will be a leader and once the leader moves the rest will usually follow. Being social animals, they don’t like isolation and so will usually try to keep another animal within their sight. Despite their size and bulk they can turn and move quickly if handled badly.

Cattle have almost all-round vision (about 340°). However, they only see well in a relatively narrow field of view to the front. They cannot easily assess the identity, size or speed of unfamiliar objects in their peripheral vision and can easily be startled by sudden movement. Because they only see clearly directly in front of them, they have to stop and lower their heads and are likely to be suspicious of any new object until they have investigated it; this normal reaction can often make them difficult to move. In addition, they dislike dark, shadowy areas and can shy at the slightest thing. Cattle have a good sense of smell and dislike sudden loud noises. They can hear sounds at frequencies similar to, and higher than, humans.

Calves

Cattle are ‘calf-hiders’: in the wild, cows will leave their young in nearby undergrowth and then go to graze, returning at intervals to feed them. In the early weeks of life, therefore, calves are not particularly active and do not follow their mothers. As they get older they develop the basic instincts of adult cattle but can be unpredictable. Their behaviour can be erratic and they are often stubborn and difficult to move. They dislike any sudden movement or noise and as with all animals must always be treated with consideration and patience.

Bison

Bison are part of the family Bovidae, as are domestic cattle, and are generally not aggressive animals. However, they can be defensive. Their flight zones tend to be bigger than domestic cattle and they may be unpredictable if a handler enters their flight zone. They are usually peaceful and unconcerned but may attack anything, often without warning or apparent reason. Bison have poor eyesight but acute hearing and an excellent sense of smell. Bison are also unexpectedly capable of jumping over standard fencing.

Water buffalo

Asian water buffalo have been domesticated for many centuries. Their behaviour and reactions towards humans are very similar to those of cattle. Entire males however should be treated with great caution as, like bulls of some traditional cattle breeds, they can become aggressive.

Pigs

The pig’s natural environment is woody undergrowth and its senses have evolved accordingly. Pigs have good, almost all-round vision (310°), similar to that of sheep, but they do not have good long-distance vision and, in certain breeds, the ears can restrict their sight.

Maintaining visual contact with each other is not a priority for pigs. They are more independently-minded and less inclined to follow each other closely, behaving as individuals or loose groups. However, they do maintain contact via vocal communication using a complex vocabulary of grunts and squeals. Pigs have good hearing and a very good sense of smell, using their noses to investigate their surroundings and find foods. This means they do not like to be hurried and driven forward, it is much easier to guide a pig in the right direction than force it. When pigs are exposed to rough handling they can express a fear reaction which can result in them piling on top of each other in an attempt to escape. In extreme cases this can lead to death.

Wild boar

Wild boar have a larger flight zone than domestic pigs. Their behaviour is unpredictable, defensive and can be very aggressive. Handling wild boar effectively and safely requires patience, planning and escape-proof facilities. Even with regular handling these animals can still react aggressively towards handling and remain unpredictable. When transported to abattoirs, it is not advised to lairage them as they are very difficult to contain. Staff must always be aware of the dangerous and unpredictable nature of these animals.