Thomas L. Bean
Dee Jepsen
Dawn Handrosh
Marcia Todd
Farms are great places to find animals. There are many types of farm animals. Some are pets and some have an important purpose for the farmer. Animals that produce wool, milk, eggs and meat are called livestock. Types of livestock can include: cows, sheep, chickens, turkeys and pigs. Different types of farms have different types of livestock. Because these animals are not pets, they should be treated differently. An adult should be with you when you are in the barnyard.
You should never go near male livestock. They become angry very easily. Males will protect their pens, fields or families. Snorting, pawing the dirt, or throwing their heads are warning signs for you to stay away. When you are too close, these animals could charge at you. Because of their large size and short tempers, you should never trust male animals.
Young farm animals are cute and cuddly. You may want to get close enough to pet them. However their mothers are watching you. Mothers will protect their babies if they feel they are in danger. Although you may not be hurting their babies, the mothers do not understand why you are touching them. Some mothers will snort, kick, or run at you as a defense measure to protect their young.
Animals sometime give other warning signs when they are upset or hurt. Some of the signs are: putting their ears back, getting on their knees, or having an evil look in their eyes. When an animal is showing any of these signs you should not go near them.
Fences keep livestock in a restricted area and are there for your protection. Fences are different for the types of animals they contain. They are made from a variety of materials. Some fences are electric and may shock you. Some have sharp barbs, and others are wooden or woven wire. Never enter a fence or a pen without adult supervision.
You should never tease livestock. Throwing stones, hitting with sticks, chasing, or teasing with food is not kind treatment. Chasing animals for fun may cause them to turn and attack you. Animals are not concerned about the harm they cause to people. They are reacting to protect themselves. Treat all livestock kindly and respect them for their purpose on the farm.
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Answers:
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As a parent it is your responsibility to supervise children when they are around livestock. Children should know that bulls, rams, boars and mothers with young are very unpredictable and can cause injuries. You must teach your children that they should never enter a pen or fence without adult supervision. Before working with animals you and your child should talk about animal behaviors and proper handling skills. |
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1) Bean, T. Working Safely With Livestock. AEX-990. Agricultural Engineering Department Fact Sheet, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH.
2) Indiana Rural Safety and Health Council. Careful Country Farm Safety Coloring and Activity Book. IN: West Lafayette.
3) Miller, R. and Benanti, C. (1995). Fun Facts About Farm Animals. IA: Dyersville.
4) Farm Safety 4 Just Kids (1993). Teaming Up...A Farm Safety Walkabout For Kids.
Reviewed by: Bethany Lifer, age 12; Brett Henne, age 7.
Click here for a PDF version of this Fact Sheet.
Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the view of the U.S. Department of Agriculture
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