Pre‐transport loading of farmed red deer: effects of previous overnight housing environment, vehicle illumination and shape of loading race

Abstract

The behaviour of farmed red deer was studied while they were being loaded on to a transporter. In experiment 1, the effects of previous overnight housing conditions (indoors, at a space allowance of either 4 or 8 m2 per deer, or in an outdoor raceway) on the ease of loading were investigated. The number of attempts required to load the deer was not significantly affected by their housing conditions or their sex, but there was a significant increase in the number of attempts required after the first day (P < 0.05), suggesting that some aspect of the loading procedure was aversive to the deer. In experiment 2, the effects of illumination inside the vehicle (bright or dim) and the shape of the loading race (straight or curved) were examined. Neither factor significantly influenced the time taken by deer to enter the trailer. However, deer took significantly (P < 0.05) less time to load as the number of trials increased. It is concluded that the loading of deer may be facilitated if the loading raceway is wide enough to allow the deer to move as a group, but narrow enough to prevent the deer from turning round.

Opinion of the Scientific Panel on Animal Health and Welfare (AHAW) on a request from the Commission related to the welfare of animals during transport

“…It's commonly recognised that deer move more readily in winding raceways compared with straight ones (Haigh and Hutson, 1993) and flow best into yards if they are turned through a curve on the final approach (Matthews, 2000). However, Grigor et al, (1998c) found that the shape of the loading race (straight or curved) did not influence the time taken by red deer to enter the trailer. This is in agreement with their previous findings (Grigor et al, 1997c) and with Matthews (2000), who suggested that as long as the animals are kept moving, straight or curved races are equally effective.…”

“…Due to their natural tendency to bunch together, a raceway at least 5m wide for red deer (Matthews, 2000), 3-4m for fallow deer (Yerex and Spiers, 1987), is needed for initial movement and then about 1.5m wide in the handling facilities (Weeks, 2000). Grigor et al, (1998c) found that deer moved less readily in a 4m wide loading race, where they were able to turn around and run past the handlers, compared with a 1.5m wide one. Deer became quickly accustomed to move through such a raceway, and moved faster than in a 0.5 m wide, single-file race (Grigor et al, 1997c).…”

“…However, the presence of a light, angled instead of shining into the eyes of the oncoming deer as recommended by Grandin (1990), had no effect on the time taken to move through the loading raceway and enter the trailer (Grigor et al, 1998c). …”

“…Pre-transport conditions may influence the reaction of livestock to be loaded (Grigor et al, 1998c). According to Fletcher (1988) it would be beneficial to gather the deer into pens on the day before transport.…”

“…The effects of illumination inside the vehicle were also examined (Grigor et al, 1998c), as a strategy to facilitate loading operations. However, the presence of a light, angled instead of shining into the eyes of the oncoming deer as recommended by Grandin (1990), had no effect on the time taken to move through the loading raceway and enter the trailer (Grigor et al, 1998c).…”