As our herd grows and new challenges arise, we have made the decision to update our handling system. While we would LOVE to have an ArrowQuip Cattle Chute, it’s not in the cards, right now. Instead we are going to rearrange our current set up to make loading, working and sorting our cows an easier (and safer) process.
What is a Cattle Chute ?
A Cattle Chute is an important piece of equipment that is used to guide and control our animal’s movement. It makes things like vaccinating, branding, grooming and loading easier and safer for both the animal and us, the farmers.
Having a proper cattle chute isn’t just a piece of equipment that gets used few times throughout the year. It’s actually a very important part of low-stress cattle handling for our operation. A proper chute helps us work our cattle in a safe manor, protect our crew (aka our family), and also will keep our livestock calm and safe. All extremely important parts of the equation.
Cattle chutes are designed to make catching and restraining livestock easier, safer, and humane. When comparing a head gate vs a chute system, the chute improves cattle flow, reduces stress, and protects both farmers and cows from injury.
Squeeze chutes can have a multiple hazards, including: pinch points, crush points, blunt trauma, and potential for thrown objects. That is why we are looking for ways to keep everyone and all animals safe while we work our herd.
I have included 5 reasons why a proper cattle chute belongs on every cattle farm, even the small family farms.
1. Cattle chutes are safe, humane, and efficient
Current cattle chute designs focuses on animal welfare and handler safety. When a operation is working quietly and efficiently it is offering a better restraint, so you can work cattle confidently while keeping stress low. Safe handling supports our herd’s health and also meets Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) standards.
2. Keeping cattle focused.
Cows are able to see 300 degrees. This can lead to becoming frightened by unknowns more easily. A well-designed chute will reduce stress by ensuring cattle stay focused straight ahead on the exit. This allows them to see light and think they are escaping verse walking into a wall.
3. Improved Animal Health
Animal health is positively impacted by having a proper cattle chute. With safe equipment you can handle cattle at an proper pace, minimise the risk of bruises, injection site damage, injuries to handlers and/or cattle, and untrue record-keeping. By reducing stress levels we are able to improve conception rates, vaccination effectiveness, and keep immune and rumen functions as they should be.
4. Farmer Safety
Cattle chutes offer increased safety for everyone that is handling the herd. It also minimising the possibility of injuries caused by sudden head movements or kicks. Commercial cattle chutes often have secure latches added to help prevent accidental releases, adding to the safety of the farmers while working the cattle.
5.Customizable for Many Cattle Sizes
Most cattle chutes allow for adjustments to be made easily. This is great when working with many sizes of cattle ( newborn calves up to full size cows and bulls. This ensures optimal functionality along with comfort for the animals throughout the entire process.
Cattle chutes are an important piece of equipment for any farm (big or small) that handles livestock. They provide safe and efficient handling of your herd during management procedures keeping the herd and farmer safe. They can also be customized to fit the needs of different operations and cattle sizes. By investing in a cattle chute and having it set up in a way that makes handling and sorting easier and safer for the farmers and cows, we can improve the safety and efficiency of our operations while improving the overall welfare of the livestock.
If you’d like to learn more about Saving the Small Farms, check out this post sharing 6 ways to Help Save the Small Farms
Raising beef from our farm to YOUR table, and educating on the SIMPLE things.
-The Brinkers
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