What Is the Flight Zone in Cattle?

For handling cattle and livestock, it is important to know a cow's flight zone, the space the animal considers its area of safety. Anyone entering the flight zone will prompt the cow to move away from the person. The size of the flight zone varies depending on the tameness of the cow. A completely tame cow has no flight zone and will allow a person to walk up and touch it. A wild cow may have a flight zone yards in diameter.

  1. Determining the Flight Zone of Cattle

    • The handler observes the cow as he approaches it. According to Ohio State University, the cow will move away from the handler when he reaches the edge of the flight zone.

    Determining the Point of Balance

    • The point of balance is the position within the flight zone where the direction of the movement changes. The point of balance is usually at the shoulder of the cow. Enter the flight zone behind the point of balance and the cow moves forward. Enter the flight zone in front of it and the cow moves backward.

    Using the Point of Balance and Flight Zone to Handle Cattle

    • The handler needs to position himself properly to move cattle in the desired direction. For example, if the handler wants the cow to move forward and to the right, he approaches the animal from the left side of its rear quarters.

    Other Considerations of Flight Zone

    • As the cow becomes nervous and agitated, the flight zone will grow larger. The flight zone also increases if the cow is approached head-on.

    Herd Mentality and the Flight Zone

    • One cow becoming agitated can cause the others in the herd to also exhibit signs of agitation. At that point the flight zone of the entire herd will expand, making all the cattle more difficult to manage.