The Five Freedoms and Caregivers in Beef Cattle Husbandry

By: Dr. Dorte Dopfer, University of Wisconsin - Madison, School of Veterinary Medicine

By: Dr. Dorte Dopfer, University of Wisconsin - Madison, School of Veterinary Medicine

Since 1965 a concept for defining wellbeing in animals that are in human care, the Five Freedoms provide the basis for training caregivers to improve and maintain well being in domesticated cattle.

Since 1965 a concept for defining wellbeing in animals that are in human care, the Five Freedoms provide the basis for training caregivers to improve and maintain well being in domesticated cattle.

Caregivers in turn need the training, support, and harmony from all levels of their professional environment to acquire the knowledge and skills necessary to recognize the needs of cattle. According to the Farm Animal Welfare Committee (www.gov.uk/government/groups/farm-animal -welfare-committee-fawc), the Five Freedoms provide a framework for the needs and well being of cattle in five parts:

Caregivers in turn need the training, support, and harmony from all levels of their professional environment to acquire the knowledge and skills necessary to recognize the needs of cattle. According to the Farm Animal Welfare Committee (www.gov.uk/government/ groups/farm-animal - welfare-committee-fawc), the Five Freedoms provide a framework for the needs and well being of cattle in five parts:

1. Freedom from hunger or thirst by ready access to fresh water and a diet to maintain full health and vigor

1. Freedom from hunger or thirst by ready access to fresh water and a diet to maintain full health and vigor to accommodate resting cattle is necessary to follow up on the guidance and established contact.

How can caregivers recognize disease and injury as soon as possible?

By creating unthreatening connections with the animals, caregivers need to convince cattle to share their very early signs of disease and injury. This sharing of signs of discomfort will facilitate early diagnosis that must be followed by prompt, adequate care before increased severity and chronicity lead to complications. Recognizing and removing anxiety and confusion in cattle around arrival time is the foundation for acclimation. Making connections starts with observation, sharing of eye contact and making quiet mind contact. Cattle’s minds soon give into the care of skilled herdsmen.

How can caregivers recognize disease and injury as soon as possible?

By creating unthreatening connections with the animals, caregivers need to convince cattle to share their very early signs of disease and injury. This sharing of signs of discomfort will facilitate early diagnosis that must be followed by prompt, adequate care before increased severity and chronicity lead to complications. Recognizing and removing anxiety and confusion in cattle around arrival time is the foundation for acclimation. Making connections starts with observation, sharing of eye contact and making quiet mind contact. Cattle’s minds soon give into the care of skilled herdsmen.

How do we recognize that cattle have melted into the correct social fabric of the herd by exhibiting adequate behavior?

2. Freedom from discomfort by providing an appropriate environment including shelter and a comfortable resting area

2. Freedom from discomfort by providing an appropriate environment including shelter and a comfortable resting area

How do we recognize that cattle have melted into the correct social fabric of the herd by exhibiting adequate behavior?

3. Freedom from pain, injury or disease by prevention or rapid diagnosis and treatment

3. Freedom from pain, injury or disease by prevention or rapid diagnosis and treatment

4. Freedom to express (most) normal behavior by providing sufficient space, proper facilities and company of the animal's own kind

4. Freedom to express (most) normal behavior by providing sufficient space, proper facilities and company of the animal’s own kind

5. Freedom from fear and distress by ensuring conditions and treatment which avoid mental suffering

5. Freedom from fear and distress by ensuring conditions and treatment which avoid mental suffering

Orderly motions and timely, painless herd hierarchy establishment allow for regular feeding, drinking, rumination, expressions of exuberance and playfulness, particularly in the socially weaker animals. If signs of stress and fatigue do not last for long after arrival then the behavioral patterns of cattle are accommodated well during the acclimation process. Therefore, prompt acclimation results in the expression of adequate cattle’s social behavior and vice versa.

Orderly motions and timely, painless herd hierarchy establishment allow for regular feeding, drinking, rumination, expressions of exuberance and playfulness, particularly in the socially weaker animals. If signs of stress and fatigue do not last for long after arrival then the behavioral patterns of cattle are accommodated well during the acclimation process. Therefore, prompt acclimation results in the expression of adequate cattle’s social behavior and vice versa.

The questions to be asked by skilled caregivers with respect to the Five Freedoms are:

The questions to be asked by skilled caregivers with respect to the Five Freedoms are:

What is feasible upon arrival of cattle at feed yards in terms of water and feed intake to abate hunger and thirst? Caregivers’ foresight in preparing for receiving cattle needs to be timely and result in a positive experience for the new arrivals.

What is feasible upon arrival of cattle at feed yards in terms of water and feed intake to abate hunger and thirst? Caregivers’ foresight in preparing for receiving cattle needs to be timely and result in a positive experience for the new arrivals.

How can the caregiver remove anxiety and fear in cattle? Careful, but unambiguous guidance of cattle during herding and processing results in trust and calm reassurance during transitions between production phases. Caregivers become the cattle’s beacon in a confusing new world. The connected caregiver on the other hand continues to scan groups of cattle for the members that influence group behavior and turns such helper cattle into a mesh of positive group behavior. Positive group behavior is a resource that needs care and maintenance.

How can a scenario be provided to achieve best possible rest and even deep sleep in cattle shortly after arrival? Respectful connection to and guidance of cattle upon arrival will result in release of tension and stress while cattle relax into their need for rest. An environment able

How can a scenario be provided to achieve best possible rest and even deep sleep in cattle shortly after arrival? Respectful connection to and guidance of cattle upon arrival will result in release of tension and stress while cattle relax into their need for rest. An environment able to accommodate resting cattle is necessary to follow up on the guidance and established contact.

How can the caregiver remove anxiety and fear in cattle? Careful, but unambiguous guidance of cattle during herding and processing results in trust and calm reassurance during transitions between production phases. Caregivers become the cattle’s beacon in a confusing new world. The connected caregiver on the other hand continues to scan groups of cattle for the members that influence group behavior and turns such helper cattle into a mesh of positive group behavior. Positive group behavior is a resource that needs care and maintenance.

In conclusion: Successful acclimation under the supervision of skilled caregivers opens the door towards sustaining the Five Freedoms. **

In conclusion: Successful acclimation under the supervision of skilled caregivers opens the door towards sustaining the Five Freedoms. **