High traffic areas, such as alleyways, should be grooved. Floors should be constructed to allow water to drain quickly. Slatted floors are used to keep animals dry in a confinement system. Fencing and gates should be strong and durable enough to contain crowded livestock. Alleys and chutes should be wide enough to permit animals to pass, but not wide enough for the animal to turn around.
Animals are less likely to balk in chutes constructed with solid walls instead of fencing materials.
Lighting should be even and diffused to eliminate glare. Animals generally move readily from dark areas into well-lighted areas but are reluctant to move from lighted areas into dark areas. Bright spots and shadows tend to make animals skittish, especially in and near crowded areas or loading areas. Animal facility layouts should be designed so that animals do not look directly into the sun. Appropriate handling equipment can reduce injuries to animals and humans and save labor and time during various phases of production.