Loading and Unloading

Facilities

Loading livestock onto a vehicle is one of the most difficult handling procedures. Few farm animals undergo loading often enough to learn from experience, therefore handlers are usually dealing with untrained and nervous animals. It will help to have well-designed and properly constructed facilities. Ideally, loading and handling facilities should be designed at the same time. The species, maximum number of animals to be handled, and number of skilled handling personnel available, are factors to be considered when designing facilities.

Collecting pens

Floors of pens, raceways and loading areas should, as far as possible, be non-slip. Good footing for animals is essential.

Collecting areas and crowd pens should have solid walls. The only obvious way forward should be towards the lorry.

Metal gates should be padded to prevent clanging, be well-maintained and easily operated.

Raceways

Raceways and passageways to the loading area should be built with smooth, solid sides. Sharp corners or abrupt bends should be avoided.

Try to eliminate, as far as possible, shadow patterns, drain covers, large puddles and other apparent obstacles from handling areas. These may make animals baulk and reluctant to move forwards.

Most animals move readily from dark towards light, but dislike glaring sunlight or harsh artificial light. Take into account natural and artificial light patterns when designing handling facilities.

Loading bays

Raised loading bays reduce stress on animals and make loading easier.

There should be a gradual incline to the loading bay.

There should be a level area before animals move onto the tailgate of the vehicle.

Unloading areas

Unloading areas should be secure and provide a wide, clear straight path from the lorry to the yard, lairage or field. Animals should only have one obvious, clear direction in which to move.

Maintenance

All handling areas should be regularly checked for potential hazards, e.g. split rails, broken latches, dropped gates, and discarded objects.

Loading

Loading livestock can be a stressful process. Animals can be excitable and the risk of injury to them and handlers can be high. Take care.

Before you start

• Plan ahead and allow plenty of time.
• Ensure you know full details of the load, e.g. number of animals, species and type.
• Make sure there are experienced helpers available.
• Arrange and check all facilities thoroughly. Does everybody know what to do? Are all gates in the correct place? Is everything secure? Floors should be covered with some sand if the surface is slippery.
• Remember, animals may be reluctant to move from their familiar housing pens into passageways. Eliminate anything that may cause animals to baulk or shy.
• Check all animals are fit to travel.
• Check that partitions in the lorry are correct for the load – there may be some last minute changes.
• Placing straw on the ramp may be helpful for certain age groups and species.
• Light the interior of the lorry if necessary. Close ventilation flaps if sunlight is causing light and dark patches in the lorry which may make animals baulk.

When loading begins

• It will usually be easier to load several small groups of animals, rather than one large group.
• Unless they are behind the animals, keep people out of raceways.
• Avoid noise, rush and panic. Let animals find their own way, in their own time.
• Make use of the animals’ natural behaviour.
• Encourage a lead-animal, giving it plenty of time to see where it is expected to go. Once it is on the ramp, encourage the group to follow.
• Don’t get too close to the animals which are moving forwards into the lorry – this may cause them to turn back. If they do, back off, let them down the ramp and give them time to relax before trying again.
• Use your voice, flags, sacks or pig-boards to encourage animals to move in the right direction.
• Be careful not to trap animals’ legs or tails when closing partitions, side-gates or ramps of the lorry.
• Be firm, but do not lose your self-control. If animals are being difficult, let them settle before trying again.

Unloading

Everyone involved with unloading should know which animals have to go where, before the tailgate is dropped.

Keep the slope of the ramp to a minimum; make use of a natural slope or use an unloading bay whenever possible. Particular care needs to be taken when unloading multi-deck vehicles. At no stage should any animals, even sheep, feel compelled to jump from a ramp. If they do, it indicates that the gradient is too steep.

There should be a clear route from the lorry to the lairage, yard or field. Animals may be tired and unsteady after the journey; allow them time to move off the lorry at their own pace.

Sick and injured stock

Be on the lookout for any sick or injured stock; separate and treat if necessary. Animals unable to move should be slaughtered on the vehicle.

Post-transit care

Allow animals time to settle down after any journey. Make regular checks to ensure they are drinking and feeding normally.

Key points: loading and unloading can be the most stressful part of the transport procedure. Check the facilities before handling animals. Facilities should be secure with a clear route on and off the vehicle. When moving stock, be calm and take your time.