10 Tips for Managing Shipping Stress when Trailering Livestock
Transporting livestock can be stressful for both you and your animals. Provided here are some tips to help manage shipping stress when trailering livestock. Take precautions and plan ahead to make your trip to a show or the processor go as smoothly as possible.
This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
It’s summertime in west Michigan. Along with farm projects and family outings, we have a calendar full of shows and a few processing dates to take our animals to.
Transporting livestock can be stressful for both you and your animals. Whether you are hauling pigs, goats, or chickens, planning ahead and taking a few precautions can make your trip go as smoothly as possible.
Reasons to Manage Shipping Stress
For many farm animals that live in one location most of their lives, getting in a trailer or the back of a truck can be frightening. A small space or new environment can make them anxious and stressed.
The negative effects of stress on carcass quality is well documented. Meat from stressed animals is more likely to have bruising, high levels of cortisol, and non-ideal pH, color, and shelf life (Carrasco-Garcia, et al., 2020). For these reasons, efforts should be made to minimize stress in the final hours of animals that are intended for food.
Even if your transported animal isn’t going to the butcher, managing stress is still important. Animals that are stressed are harder to handle and more likely to get hurt or hurt someone. For the safety all involved, do what you can to alleviate extra stressors.
Below are some tips to help manage shipping stress when hauling livestock.
1. Transport Healthy Animals
Whenever possible, transport animals that are in good health. Healthy animals have an easier time handling the stress of shipping. If you are heading to the vet to seek treatment for a sick animal, that’s another story and go ahead!
2. Desensitize your Animals to the Trailer
If you can, take the time to desensitize your animals to the trailer or truck that they will be hauled in. Slowly introducing them to the enclosure, giving them time to check it out, or feeding them inside it are things you can try before you plan to move your livestock. Having a positive experience in the trailer will make the animal more cooperative when you go to haul them again in the future.
3. Check the Weather
If possible, don’t transport your animals if the weather isn’t conducive. Heat stress can be an issue if the temperatures are very hot. In addition, rain or snow can make ramps and floors slippery and dangerous for you and your animals.
4. Allow Plenty of Time for Loading
Avoid having to rush when loading your livestock. Plan ahead so that you have ample time to calmly corral your livestock and escort them onto the trailer. You don’t want a fearful animal that is resisting loading to get loose!
5. Haul Animals with their Friends
Hauling is stressful enough for a farm animal, what can stress them out even more is being separated from their herd mates. If possible, don’t transport one animal by itself if it is used to being with others. You can bring a buddy along for the ride, even if it’s just for moral support.
6. Don’t Overcrowd the Animals
Make sure you have adequate room for the load of animals that you plan on transporting. Overcrowding can be a stressor for animals that are being hauled. Make additional trips if necessary.
7. Double Check your Rig
Before heading out, take a few minutes to double check your rig. Make sure the tires are inflated, all lights work, and every gate is properly latched.
8. Minimize Wait Time in the Trailer
Once everyone has been loaded and you’ve checked your equipment, you are ready to hit the road. I find that animals waiting in the trailer get a little antsy and once we are moving, they settle down. Minimizing waiting time can help reduce stress.
9. Drive Cautiously
When you are hauling livestock, make sure to drive cautiously. Plan ahead so that you aren’t trying to rush and can drive slowly and safely. Don’t forget to break early and slow down for curves, remember your animals are not wearing seat belts!
10. Check on Your Animals
If it’s a long drive, it may be a good idea to stop and check on your animals along the way. Make sure no one is tangled up, bleeding, or too hot. Ensure adequate ventilation and that everyone is stable before continuing on. If you have a camera in your trailer, that works too!
Safe travels!
Reference:
Carrasco-Garcia, A. A., et al. (2020). Effect of stress during slaughter on carcass characteristics and meat quality in tropical beef cattle. Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences, 33(10):1656–1665. doi: 10.5713/ajas.19.0804
