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Holding Pens
Completion requirements
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Holding pens where animals are kept prior to handling must comprise an area of at least 2.3m2 per mature cow. Where animals must remain close to the handling facility for a day or more, they should not be kept in the holding pens. Small paddocks with water must be provided for this purpose in close proximity to the handling facility.
From the holding yards, animals are moved to a forcing yard, where provision is made for only 1.67 m2 per mature cow, which makes it easier to force the animals to enter the crush. The exit from the forcing yard into the crush must be tapered to prevent animals from milling around the entrance to the crush and to prevent injury to animals.
Diagram of a small cattle handling facility where the holding pen is a small kraal and the forcing yard is open to the holding pen.
Click here to view a video that explains the handling of cattle in pens.