Transportation of livestock in special cars by rail

The transportation of live agricultural animals: large and small cattle, horses, pigs, and poultry by rail occurs in many directions. Russia, China, Kazakhstan, Belarus — this is far from a complete list of such transportation routes. The transportation of agricultural animals by rail began almost immediately after the construction of the railways themselves. However, at the initial stage, animals were transported in ordinary covered cars, which led to mass mortality. Over time, rules for such transportation were established, and special cars were developed for their implementation. Cars for transporting livestock, or as they are also called, cattle cars and livestock carriers — are a special type of railway rolling stock that allows for the transportation of animals without leading to their mortality and suffering.

Rules for transporting agricultural animals by rail

There are specific rules for each type of animal, but there are also some basic general provisions that include the following requirements:

• The transportation should not cause suffering to the animals. Sick animals can only be transported for treatment, with the veterinarian's consent.
• A veterinary certificate must be issued for the transportation of animals, which is valid for 3 days.
• Feed for feeding during the journey is taken from the point of departure of the animals or from safe feed bases along the way.
• Unloading of livestock is allowed only at special platforms, which cannot be classified as public platforms.
• Unloading of animals in darkness and under conditions of insufficient visibility is prohibited.
• Animals must be accompanied by a special attendant.
• The distance for transporting live cattle by rail is limited. For large cattle, the transportation distance is set at no more than 800 km.

Design of cattle cars

Based on the requirements for transporting animals, special cars are developed for their movement by rail. Livestock requires ventilation, so either the walls of the cars are made of boards laid horizontally, with gaps left between the boards, or the cars are equipped with special ventilation hatches. Sometimes such cars are also equipped with heating systems.

The sizes of agricultural animals vary. For small livestock and poultry, double-deck cattle cars are equipped. Such cars must provide unloading from each deck. That is, animals transported on the second deck must have the ability to load and unload directly onto and from it.

Animals must be provided with feed and water. Storage for feed and a water tank are equipped under the ceiling of the cars. Animals are supplied with feeders and drinkers. Water must flow into the drinkers from the tank.

The floor of the car must be covered with necessary bedding (straw, etc.) and be suitable for easy cleaning and washing. To drain waste from the animals during the journey, drainage holes are equipped in the floor of the car.

A room for the attendant of the animals is equipped in the car.

The use of high-quality, modern cars for transporting livestock will protect the animals from suffering and their owners from costs associated with mortality and diseases.

What makes up the tariff for transporting livestock by rail

The cost of a one-time transportation will depend on the specific type of ordered car, the distance between the loading and destination points, and transit customs tariffs if the animals are transported across the territory of several countries.

If you frequently transport livestock by rail, instead of ordering one-time transports each time, you can rent a cattle car for a certain period. This will be significantly cheaper.