Code of Recommendations and Minimum Standards for the Welfare of Bobby Calves

Animal Welfare Advisory Committee
c/- Ministry of Agriculture
PO Box 2526
Wellington

Code of Animal Welfare No. 8 (Revised)
ISBN 0-478-07328-3
ISSN 1171-090X
July 1997

• Preface
• 1. Introduction
• 2. Legal Responsibilities
• 3. General Objectives for Owners/Farmers, Transport Operators/Drivers and Processors
• 4. Owner / Farmer Responsibilities
• 5. Transport Operators’/Drivers’ Responsibilities
• 6. Processors’ Responsibility
• 7. Emergency Humane Destruction

Preface

Codes of recommendations and minimum standards for the welfare of animals are prepared by the Animal Welfare Advisory Committee (AWAC). The committee was established in 1989 by the then Minister of Agriculture to advise him on matters concerning animal welfare.

AWAC consists of members from the following backgrounds: the farming community, animal welfare groups, the veterinary profession, animal welfare science, conservation and vertebrate pest control, consumer interests, animal welfare law and the Ministry of Agriculture. It also includes the chairman of the National Animal Ethics Advisory Committee and an independent chairman.

Extensive consultation takes place with industry and other interested groups in the development of codes.

This Code of Recommendations and Minimum Standards for the Welfare of Bobby Calves was endorsed as a national code at the committee meeting held on 6 May 1993. It was revised and endorsed by the committee in July 1997.

The codes of recommendation and minimum standards which have been endorsed by AWAC are:

• Code of Recommendations for the Welfare of Circus Animals and Information for Circus Operators
• Code of Recommendations and Minimum Standards for the Sea Transport of Sheep from New Zealand
• Code of Recommendations and Minimum Standards for the Welfare of Sheep
• Code of Recommendations and Minimum Standards for the Welfare of Dairy Cattle
• Code of Recommendations and Minimum Standards for the Welfare of Deer During the Removal of Antlers
• Code of Recommendations and Minimum Standards for the Welfare of Animals Used in Rodeo Events
• Code of Recommendations and Minimum Standards for the Welfare of Horses
• Code of Recommendations and Minimum Standards for the Welfare of Bobby Calves
• Code of Recommendations and Minimum Standards for the Care of Animals in Boarding Establishments
• Code of Recommendations and Minimum Standards for the Welfare of Animals at the Time of Slaughter at Licensed and Approved Premises
• Code of Recommendations and Minimum Standards for the Sale of Companion Animals
• The Animals Protection Act 1960 and Its Implications for Those Responsible for Farm Animals
• Code of Recommendations and Minimum Standards for the Welfare of Pigs
• Code of Recommendations for the Welfare of Exhibit Animals and Information for Animal Exhibit Operators
• Code of Recommendations and Minimum Standards for the Welfare of Animals Transported within New Zealand
• Code of Recommendations and Minimum Standards for the Welfare of Animals at Saleyards
• Code of Recommendations and Minimum Standards for the Care and Use of Animals for Scientific Purposes
• Code of Recommendations and Minimum Standards for the Welfare of Layer Hens
• Code of Recommendations and Minimum Standards for the Emergency Slaughter of Farm Livestock.

Other Publications:

Guidelines for the Welfare of Livestock from which Blood is Harvested for Commercial and Research Purposes

The codes of welfare may be revised to take into account changes in animal management practices and knowledge of animal welfare science.

1. Introduction

1.1 General

Animal welfare considerations are becoming increasingly important for the keeping and farming of animals, both in New Zealand and internationally. Practices which may have once been deemed acceptable are now being reassessed and modified according to new knowledge and changing attitudes. High standards of welfare are not only important legally, but also have direct economic benefits and are necessary for continued international market success.

Without good stockpersonship, animal welfare can never be adequately protected. This code is intended to encourage all those responsible for its implementation, and especially the inexperienced, to adopt the highest standards of husbandry.

The code takes account of five basic requirements:

• freedom from thirst, hunger and malnutrition.
• the provision of appropriate comfort and shelter.
• the prevention, or rapid diagnosis and treatment, of injury, disease or infestation with parasites.
• freedom from distress.
• ability to display normal patterns of behaviour.

1.2 Scope of this Code

A "bobby calf" is a calf which is at least 4 days old and is destined for slaughter for human consumption.

This code of conduct for the welfare of bobby calves covers all aspects of welfare from birth to slaughter which are unique to bobby calves. It has specifically been designed as a "stand alone" code.

1.3 Definition of Terms

The interpretation of the words shall, must, and should is as follows;

Shall

means there is a statutory requirement.

Must

indicates a minimum standard.

Should

means strongly recommended.

2. Legal Responsibilities

It is an offence, under the Animals Protection Act 1960, to allow animals to suffer unnecessary or unreasonable pain or distress. The breach of a code provision, whilst not an offence in itself, can nevertheless be used in evidence as tending to establish the guilt of anyone accused of causing an animal suffering under the Act.

Specifically it is an offence to:

• cruelly ill-treat an animal.
• omit to supply it with proper and sufficient food, water or shelter, or proper food and water sufficient to maintain the live weight of the animal within the normal physiological range for its species, type, age and sex.
• neglect an animal so that it suffers unreasonable or unnecessary pain or distress.
• keep alive an animal which is in such a condition that it is cruel to keep it alive.
• convey or carry an animal in such a manner or position as to cause the animal unnecessary pain or suffering.
• be the person in charge of an animal and permit it to be conveyed on a highway, railway, in the air, or on any river, lake, harbour or other waters within New Zealand or its territorial waters, while the condition or health of the animal is such that it is unfit to be conveyed, unless theanimal is being conveyed to a stockpound or its condition deteriorates while en route to a slaughterhouse.

3. General Objectives for Owners/Farmers, Transport Operators/Drivers and Processors

The major objective is to ensure calves are slaughtered as soon as possible after their last feed - ideally within 12 hours and preferably within 24 hours. They must be slaughtered within 30 hours of their last feed.

Careful planning between the three groups involved (owners /farmers, transport operators/drivers and processors) is required if good welfare and productivity is to be achieved. Thus, calves selected for the bobby calf trade need to be fit and healthy and the time after which a recently fed calf is transported and held prior to slaughter needs to be minimised. Calves in the first few weeks of life attempt to suck frequently and although healthy strong calves can withstand the rigours of good handling and transport, the longer they are without food, the more vigorous are their efforts in seeking out a food source. This effort uses up more energy reserves and decreases the time that they might rest. They become noisy and difficult to herd, and this may increase the frustration of handlers and those required to move stock. Handlers need to be patient and tolerant when working with bobby calves.

4. Owner / Farmer Responsibilities

4.1 Selection of Bobby Calves for Slaughter

For calves to be acceptable for slaughter in the bobby calf trade they must:

• be strong enough to withstand the stress of travel.
• be free of disease, deformity, blindness or any disability.
• be warm and dry.
• be alert and able to rise from a lying position and, once up, be capable of moving freely and sucking easily; they should not be listless and unable to protect themselves from trampling and being injured by other calves.
• have hooves that are firm and worn flat and not bulbous with soft unworn tissue.
• have a navel cord which is wrinkled, withered and shrivelled and not pink or red coloured, raw or fleshy.
• have been adequately fed on milk or colostrum.
• be free from drug residues.
• be clean and kept in hygienic conditions.
• be at least 4 days old.

Calves of cows which have been induced to calve before full term need particular attention. They require to be fed at least three times per day and to be kept in a sheltered, dry environment until they are as robust as healthy full term calves.

Calves which are too premature to survive, as well as those with severe physical defects and painful congenital defects, should be humanely destroyed. (See section 7- EmergencyHumane Destruction). The preferred method is a head shot, as described. Stunning using a firm blow to the head, followed by sticking, should only be used where immediate destruction is required and a captive bolt pistol, or firearm, is not available.

4.2 Feeding

The objectives are to provide food and fluids for maintenance and growth , to minimize periods of hunger, and to protect the calf from disease. Whichever feeding system is adopted, careful supervision to ensure each calf gets its appropriate ration is essential.

4.2.1 Colostrum Feeding

Every calf must receive colostrum from its dam or from another cow from the same farm as soon as possible after it is born, and certainly within the first 6 hours of its life.

Colostrum, the first milk produced by the cow after calving, contains special nutrients and antibodies to protect the calf from disease. The calf absorbs antibodies from the colostrum it drinks but begins to lose the ability to do so commencing about 6 hours after birth. In addition, the concentration of antibodies in the colostrum diminishes rapidly after the cow has calved and is reduced markedly within 2 milkings either before or after calving.

Although antibodies cannot be absorbed by the calf beyond more than 24-36 hours after birth, colostrum, both fresh and stored, is a high quality food and should be fed for the first 4 days of the calf’s life, ideally longer, as it also provides local immunity in the gut.

Colostrum (or milk for older calves) must be fed at the rate of 10-12% of body weight per day, ie about 2-4 litres per day during the first week after birth. This should be divided into not less than 2 feeds per day.

Note: For calves several days old, whole cow’s milk or reconstituted commercial milk replacer can provide all essential nutrients. Milk replacers should be reconstituted according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Milk and milk replacer should not be fed in excess of body temperature (39°C)

4.2.2 Feeding Prior to Collection

When a calf is collected from the farm, it must have been fed at least half of its daily ration of colostrum or milk, preferably immediately prior to collection, but no longer than 4 hours before collection, so that it can better withstand transportation and the waiting period before slaughter.

4.2.3 Access to Clean Water

Calves should have access to water that is clean and potable at all times.

4.3 Facilities

4.3.1 Housing and Shelter

Young calves are very prone to hypothermia i.e. a fall in body temperature below normal thatcan result in death. Thus, calves born in wet cold conditions should be moved to a relatively dry, sheltered environment as soon as possible.

Sheds with concrete or slatted floors should be constructed so that they are easy to clean and disinfect. Deep litter (not tanalised sawdust or shavings) is suitable for the calves' comfort. It should be replaced after each batch of calves and following any outbreak of infectious disease.

Ventilation should be sufficient to remove toxic gases and dust, and to maintain airflow without causing draughts. The conditions in which calves are housed should be clean and sheltered with a dry, draught-free area for resting. Enough space should be provided so that all animals can lie down together.

All fittings and internal surfaces should be constructed to ensure there are no hazards likely to cause injury. Lighting at all times should be sufficient to enable inspection of all animals.

4.3.2 Roadside Pens

All calves offered for sale must be placed in pens, or appropriate housing, before the time of collection. These facilities should be such that they provide adequate shelter and comfort for all the calves and easy access for the person collecting them. Attention to hygiene is important. General recommendations for the collection pen are that it should:

• be facing away or be protected from the prevailing wind.
• have a floor that is raised 65 cm above ground to provide easy access (slatted wooden floors or woven steel mesh floors as used in stock trucks allow good drainage and easy removal of faeces).
• have sufficient space for the calves to stand up, lie down and turn around without difficulty.
• be sited to allow convenient and safe access for the person collecting the calves and to facilitate handling of the animals.
• be kept clean.

4.4 Health, Handling and Care

4.4.1 Handling and Care

Bobby calves must be handled and moved in a manner which causes minimal distress and avoids injury, bruising and suffering. Thus:

• calves must not be carried by their legs, thrown, dragged or pulled along by the head or ears. In the absence of ramps, calves must be lifted bodily onto and off trays of trucks.
• alkathene hose, sticks, dogs, electric prodders etc must not be used during handling of bobby calves.
• Trans-shipment of stock should be minimized, as it is likely to increase the prevalence of bruising and injury.

4.4.2 Calf Diseases

Calves suffering from disease or serious injury must either be treated using an appropriate therapeutic regime, following veterinary advice, or be humanely destroyed. Diseases affecting bobby calves can be caused by a variety of different micro-organisms and/or different non-infectious stressors. The most common conditions affecting calves are:

Calf Scours

This condition can be due to a variety of infectious and non-infectious factors, including dietary changes, inadequate nutrition, parasites, viruses or bacteria.

• Fluid replacement, using electrolytes, is the most important part of the treatment.
• Sick calves should be isolated.

Veterinary advice should be sought if the calf has any of the following signs:

• high temperature.
• foul smelling scour especially if it has mucus or blood in it.
• marked loss of appetite.
• dehydration, which is evidenced by a loss of elasticity in the skin (skin fails to spring back when pinched), sunken eyes, an unusually dry mouth or tongue.
• marked dullness such that the calf lies down for long periods or does not mingle with its penmates or respond to the calf rearer with normal food seeking behaviour.
• abdominal pain (colic), noted by rolling or by observing the calf to lie in unusual positions.

Pneumonia and Other Respiratory Diseases

These are commonly infectious in origin and control depends on management and controlling environmental factors such as ventilation, temperature, and stocking density.

Veterinary advice should be sought when calves have any of the following signs:

• high temperature.
• shallow, fast or painful breathing.
• marked loss of appetite.
• dehydration.
• marked dullness such that the calf lies down for long periods.
• yellow or green oral or nasal discharges.
• high prevalence of coughing.

Navel ill (Omphalophlebitis)

This is the name given to infection of the navel cord, which can occur soon after birth and may lead to widespread infection, with localisation in the liver and kidney and/or joints. Veterinary advice should be sought when calves have any signs of lameness and/or swollen joints.

Preventative measures include:

• ensuring cows are able to calve in clean grassy paddocks.
• ensuring calves have adequate, and immediate, access to colostrum.
• ensuring that dirty navel cords are cleaned and disinfected with iodine.
• ensuring that calves are housed in clean, dry pens.

4.4.3 Warning Concerning Residues

Bobby calves treated with antimicrobial drugs must not be submitted for slaughter as bobby calves.

If antimicrobial drugs are given to cows before birth then:

• where the bobby calf is born after the withholding period for that drug then the bobby calf may be submitted for slaughter.
• if the bobby calf is born during the withholding period for that drug it must be taken from its mother ’s milk as soon as possible and fed unaffected milk for at least 7 days before being sent as a bobby calf for slaughter.

Note that submissions of calves with chemical residues in excess of levels specified in the Meat (Residues) Regulations 1996 is an offence under the Meat Act (1981) and carries fines of up to $20,000 for individuals and $100,000 for farms run as companies.

If in any doubt about the use of drugs, consult your veterinarian.

5. Transport Operators’ / Drivers’ Responsibilities

5.1 General

Stock transport operators are responsible for the care and welfare of all animals during transport until discharged. They have a responsibility to ensure that proper training programmes are instituted for their employees so that they have a good basic understanding of the behavioural and physical needs of the animals being transported.

If carrying bobby calves, transport operators/drivers must be familiar with this code.

Calves held in yards after delivery by farmers, and prior to loading for transport to slaughtering premises, must be held in clean hygienic conditions and provided with shelter from bad weather.

Animals must be able to stand and bear weight on all limbs and be fit enough to be able to withstand the journey without suffering unnecessary pain or distress. ("To bear weight" means that the animal must be able to take weight on all limbs to stabilise itself during transport).

An animal with any leg broken must not be transported for slaughter. An animal with any leg broken must not be transported for any other reason unless it has been treated by a veterinarian.

In any question over whether or not stock are fit to travel a livestock officer of MAF QualityManagement or a veterinarian should be consulted and if the matter cannot be resolved a written veterinary opinion should be obtained. If there is a dispute over whether or not stock are fit to travel and the driver moves the stock before clearance by a veterinarian the driver could be liable. Proper arrangements should be made by the owner or agent for the handling and care of animals rejected as unsuitable for loading.

Where an animal is not fit to travel and is suffering unnecessary pain or suffering, immediate veterinary assistance must be obtained for the animal or it must be destroyed without delay.

5.2 Selection of Animals

Owners or their agents have a responsibility to select and present for loading only fit and healthy animals for travel. Matters which routinely should be taken into account when selecting animals for transport include:

• body condition.
• clinical evidence of disease or parasitism.
• injuries or other physical defects.

It is recognised that not all truck drivers have the experience to determine physiological or metabolic disorders but should be experienced enough to identify physical aspects such as broken limbs or obvious poor body condition.

5.3 Legal Responsibilities

(Refer: Code of Recommendations and Minimum Standards for the Welfare of Animals Transported within New Zealand Amendments, May 1996)

Both the owner and the person in charge of an animal can be liable if either permits an animal to be conveyed on any vessel while the condition or health of the animal is such as to render it unfit to be conveyed.

At no stage will liability shift from the farmer or his or her agent to the driver. Any liability of the driver is additional to the liability of the owner or his or her agent. If unfit stock are transported, the owner and the driver can be held equally liable for prosecution.

Transport operators and their drivers have the right to refuse unfit stock. Once a driver takes possession of animals, he or she is deemed to be the person in charge. If the driver conveys animals that are unfit to travel, he or she could be liable. It follows that if the driver knows that the animals are unfit to travel it is in the interests of the driver to refuse to transport them. In a prosecution, the court will determine objectively whether the driver knew or should have known that the animals were unfit to travel.

5.4 Recommended Standards for Stock Vehicles

Crates used to transport bobby calves should meet the standards laid down in NZS 5413:1993 Code of Practice for the Manufacture and Use of Stockcrates on Heavy Vehicles, available from Standards New Zealand.

• Stock crates and vehicles must have smooth sides inside.
• Vehicles must be designed so as to ensure that animals are contained within the vehicle.
• Limbs and heads must not be able to protrude outside the sides and top of the vehicle.
• Vehicles must have enough overhead room to enable calves to travel in a natural position without injuring their heads or backs, and to give them enough air when the vehicle is not moving.

Appropriate shelter from heat, wind, cold and rain must be provided during transport.

5.5 Loading and Unloading

5.5.1 Handling During Loading and Unloading

Vehicles should be adequately cleaned before animals are loaded.

Since loading and unloading are activities during which injuries and stress are likely to occur, bobby calves must be handled with care. Thus:

• sufficient labour must be available to ensure calves are unloaded as soon as possible after arrival and in a manner that will minimise bruising and stress to the calves.
• calves must not be carried by the legs, thrown, dragged or pulled along by the head or ears. They must be lifted bodily onto and off trays of trucks, and only be pushed up or down ramps into pens by reasonable force, carefully applied.
• alkathene hose, sticks, dogs, electric prodders, etc must not be used during handling of bobby calves.
• calves should be unloaded as soon as possible after arrival.

5.5.2 Ramps

Loading and unloading facilities must be constructed so that they do not cause injury to animals.

Because animals move more readily uphill or on the flat than downhill, ramps should be horizontal or slope upwards. Where calves are moving downwards, the slope of ramps should be as gentle as possible such that little encouragement is required for movement . (Present evidence indicates that young calves will move down a 12° sloping ramp satisfactorily but that 20° is too steep).

Where ramps are used for loading calves in an upwards direction, the slope should not exceed 20°.

All floor surfaces of ramps and in pens should be made of a non-slip material with either crosscleats or, if concrete, a suitable non-slip pattern or steps to provide good grip when the ramp is wet.

Portable or adjustable ramps should be equipped with anchoring devices.

Care should be taken to ensure correct alignment of vehicles and loading ramps so that any gap that could lead to injury is avoided.

5.6 Loading Density

A visual assessment must be made in judging the appropriate loading densities for any particular consignment.

The density of loading bobby calves in stock crates is determined by the need to minimise injury and allow animals that are lying down to rise without assistance. Young calves should be able to rest during travel in order to protect their welfare.

The following table provides a guide to determining load densities.

Table 1: Guide to Loading Densities for Bobby Calves

Average live weight (kg)	Minimum space allowance (m2/head)	Recommended space allowance, especially longer journeys (m2/head)
25	0.20	0.28
35	0.23	0.30
45	0.26	0.33

These loading densities supersede the loading densities for bobby calves quoted in the AWAC Code of Recommendations and Minimum Standards for the Welfare of Animals Transported within New Zealand. The loading densities are to be assessed on a per-pen, rather than a per-truck basis. There is a potential for exceeding the axle weight limits. The driver is responsible for ensuring that the truck and trailer unit do not exceed the maximum loadings permissible. This may necessitate leaving one pen empty.

Partitions should be used to reduce group sizes to about 10 to 15 animals, to prevent the likelihood of injury during transport.

It is desirable that calves in a pen all be of similar size and weight to prevent trampling of smaller animals.

5.7 Driving

Stock vehicles conveying animals must be driven steadily, avoiding rapid acceleration and sudden braking as far as possible; corners must be rounded at an appropriate speed so that the calves are not thrown off their feet and bruised if standing during the journey.

Drivers must stop and assist distressed or injured animals immediately they become aware of a problem affecting the welfare of the animals being conveyed. Where the driver cannot provide adequate assistance, appropriate aid should be enlisted.

5.8 Inspections

Animals should be inspected within 30 minutes of loading by either the driver or attendant and then at least every 2 hours throughout the journey.

5.9 Duration of Journey

No journey transporting bobby calves must be planned if the first calf collected will take more than 12 hours to reach the final destination.

Where transport time exceeds 12 hours, through accident or misadventure, then these calves must be given priority and slaughtered or fed as soon as possible (see also section 6.3)

6 Processors’ Responsibility

6.1 Conditions During Lairage

Holding and unloading facilities must be constructed and maintained so that they do not cause injury to animals.

Holding yards must be covered and protected from the prevailing wind.

Clean water must be available and accessible to calves at all times.

The holding pens should provide sufficient space for the calves to lie down together at the same time (area recommended per bobby calf is 0.5m²).

The unloading ramp and internal ramps should provide good footing and allow the calves to move freely and easily (see also 5.5.2).

Lighting at all times should be sufficient to enable inspection of all animals.

Washing of calves is not recommended but if it is necessary care should be taken.

6.2 Handling of Calves in Lairage

Bobby calves must be handled and moved in a manner which causes minimal distress and avoids injury and suffering. (See comments 5.5.1)

6.3 Slaughter

The major objective is to ensure calves are slaughtered as soon as possible after their last feed - ideally within 12 hours and preferably within 24 hours. They must be slaughtered within 30 hours of their last feed.

If, on occasion, this 30 hour target cannot be met calves must be given priority and slaughtered as soon as possible or be provided with food appropriate in type and amount to their age and size (i.e. fed milk or milk replacer at the rate of 10-12% of body weight per day). If this cannot be achieved, calves must be humanely slaughtered immediately.

7. Emergency Humane Destruction

The overriding consideration in emergency slaughter is to prevent the calf suffering further pain or distress. Small poorly developed calves, those too premature to survive, and calves with severe injuries and/or physical defects (if they are not to be treated by a veterinarian), should be slaughtered in a humane manner by an experienced and competent person.

The preferred method for emergency slaughter of a calf is a head shot using either a captive bolt pistol, or another firearm, before sticking (bleeding). If the calf is not stuck, it is essential to check the animal within 3-4 minutes of using the captive bolt pistol or firearm to ensure the animal is dead and not simply stunned. The shot should be aimed towards the brain at a point determined by the intersection of 2 imaginary lines drawn from the inside corner of the eye to a point a little above the opposite ear.

If calves are not shot, they may be killed by a firm blow to the head with a blunt instrument which is of sufficient strength to fracture the skull and damage the brain; sticking should then take place after the calf has been stunned.

Note: Except in extreme circumstances, calves must not be slaughtered by a throat cut only. The blood supply to the brain is markedly different in cattle compared with other livestock, and this difference can result in prolonged consciousness in this species.

For further information on emergency humane destruction see "Code of Recommendations and Minimum Standards for the Emergency Slaughter of Farm Livestock".