Thanks very much for that, PF. I get a shock sometimes when I touch some metal objects - even my car on occasion. Do these things come in varying degrees of power, or different types for different animals? I did see one of the horses where I go riding (at a friend's farm walk into an electric fence, and although he was highly displeased, he didn't appear to be hurt at all, more frightened than anything.
A meat worker friend once told me that pigs are so intelligent that they fight much harder than other animals at slaughter, they seem to have a degree of insight - I don't know how true that is though.
If you have any ideas of where I might look for guidelines about these things it would be really useful.
Thanks again!
Cheers
Nicky

So Nicky, why are you doing so much investigating? Are you writing
some kind of reports for AA or another organisation?

Surely if you people want to pass informed comment, the least you
could do is have some practical hands on experience, when it
comes to livestock. AFAIK just about the lot of you don't have
the foggiest and no real experience at all!

Now if I was your obstetrician, would it not be fair enough that
I had some practical experience, before I was let loose to deal
with your problems?

Reading reports is simply not enough to make people good obstetricians
and its not much different, if you want to get serious, when it comes
to understanding and commenting about farming and farm livestock.

Hi Yabby
Relax - none of the above, it's just a matter of curiosity. And what obstetricians do is a bit of a mystery to me, as you can imagine, but I doubt if using electric/electronic prodding devices on animals would require the same degree of academic knowledge or expertise.

So what if anything can you tell me?
Cheers
Nicky

*Relax - none of the above, it's just a matter of curiosity*

Oh I am always relaxed lol, but I do doubt your honesty here.

Call it male intuition :)

I remind you that understanding animals involves more then stock
prodding. After 30 years, I still learn something new every day.

Prodders are like anything, they have a use when used sensibly.
But then there is hardly a household appliance or tool that the
same can't be said for.

I don't let people on this place use them, unless I have explained
the basics and appealed to their common sense. PF is correct,
livestock will move in the opposite direction when prodded.

Its best to always first try quiet handling, but in a noisy shearing
shed, that is not always so easy. Well designed sheds, based on
good animal psychology, can work magic.

As to the prodders, yup, on the rump is where to use them, if you
do.

Now what about this course on improving your education of the real
farm world on PFs place? I am sure that her charges would be
reasonable and you have soooo much to learn.

Well I have just seen some of the best Animal Welfare work on this forum. Its only when people start to make enquiries for themselves they are on the right track.
Yabby You know very well prodders can be over used and the voltage tampered with. Look at the trouble we have had with coyboys at rodoes.
I am probably not much help to Nicky at the moment but I will do all I can to come up with some examples.

I cant remember the legal voltage for cattle but its higher than horses.

Many horses have been scared with overuse of prodders.
Just trying to recall where the last lot of people were charged. It was some time ago.

There used to be a fantasic stock squad guy in NSW many years ago who would book the blokes at the sale yards.

Now I am sure there was a different voltage for large and smaller animals.

You have asked a very sensible question and I am embarresed I just dont recall.
A long time ago much was made of these over powered prodders but your right we dont hear much about them these days.
Interesting topic your expolying.
RSPCA somewhere charged a guy for overuse. The horse was marked all over.
I will try to find the old codes for you.
Give me a few days and Nicky - Good Work. Original thinking.

Problem is as you know not enough to carry out the inspections.

Hope your on the mend.

Nicky
I cant find what i am looking for but will try to hunt it down in a few days. The link on pigs is also interesting. Down towards the bottom
http://www.google.com.au/search?hl=en&q=electric+prodders+cruelty+animals+charged+&btnG=Google+Search&meta=cr%3DcountryAU

http://www.norodeo.org/johnhill.htm
http://www.norodeo.org/marrabel05.htm

http://www.vivausa.org/campaigns/pigs/report.htm