PORTABLE HANDLING-SYSTEM FOR RED DEER

The welfare of farmed animals can be greatly influenced by the availability of appropriately designed and tested handling systems. Farmers who start a new enterprise, such as deer farming, with a small herd may be reluctant to invest in a permanently located handling facility, and this may have an adverse effect on the welfare of their deer. The design, construction and use of a portable handling facility for farmed deer is described. The advantages to management and the benefits to the welfare of deer of being able to transport the handling system to where the deer are grazing is illustrated. The system enhances the ability to monitor the incidence of disease and injury in a deer herd and provides for proper therapeutic or prophylactic treatments to be given as required. The importance of having restraining equipment specially designed or easily adaptable for the disbudding of calves or the de-antlering of young stags is highlighted. Well designed equipment ensures a good standard of welfare and a safe environment for the deer and the handler.