Why do they do what they do?
ANIMAL BEHAVIOR
AND SHEEP HANDLING
Objectives:
 Distinguish the difference between
predator and prey species.
 List factors to consider when
moving sheep.
 Explain the flight zone of animals.
Sheep are naturally…
 Gregarious
 Organisms that live in groups.
 Other examples of gregarious groups?
Big Bad Wolf
 Predator:
 Carnivorous animals that hunt other
animals.
 Prey:
 Animal hunted by other animals.
As the eyes can see…

Predators
 Eyes placed inside, narrow fields of
vision.
 Have improved depth perception
As the eyes can see…

Prey:
 Eyes located on outside of the head
 Each eye can generally cover a wider
angle of view
 Allows prey species to view more than
270 degree field.
Don’t get too close…
 Flight Zone
 Distance at which sheep feel
threatened, and will flee.
 What is your flight zone?
A Sheep’s Flight Zone
So what’s the secret?
 The key to moving livestock is
position and understanding where
the sheep are headed.
Things to consider:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Flow of sheep
Entrance Light
Shadows
Noises
Previous experiences
Does this look scary?
Animal Behavior Assignment
 Choose an animal you have had experience
being around.
 Livestock
 Pets
 Write a “Safety Plan” with guidelines,
warnings, and descriptions for handling
that animal.
 Animal’s Visual Field
 Temperament
Sheep Game!
 Log on to computer
 Go to www.sheepgame.co.uk
 Click Play
 Using what you’ve learned
about sheep behavior, play the
games!