Cattle Handling Systems

[15444]

Something I forgot to mention is that you can buy 2 Tuff chutes for the price of 1 Lakeland. Might even be more than that now, haven't priced Lakeland in a few years.

[perfecho]

Quite often work cattle alone, use the Lakeland squeeze, alley tub config. Like the handle at back of squeeze, alley way a bit narrow for bigger bulls.
Cutting off the tub and adding alley way and bud box style of entry. Used a rough "bud box" type of system and it worked well, so try to mimic that. Pretty happy with chute overall.

[Happytrails]

I've got a comment on using handling systems. We tried putting fresh weaned calves thru the bud box, S alley and chute, free flow in a dry run before processing. The guy who works with me would quit if I tried to stop the practice. I'm not sure why it helps so much but probably something to do with the first impression being the strongest. Anyway in 4 sessions we processed over 500 hd after a dry run and they went up the alley good, into the chute good, and left the chute good.

A couple of days ago we got a late start due to fog and my son suggested we skip the dry run to save time. The rest of us said no, the dry run SAVES time and it sure went smooth.

[grassfarmer]

Thats an interesting idea HT, might try it out - probably doesn't take long to run them through if you aren't catching them anyway?

[Happytrails]

It doesn't take very long at all and definately speeds up processing. Sometimes even have some trouble filling the bud box because the calves start down the crowd alley instead of continuing into the pen.

[WiltonRanch]

I am going to redo my loading system. Going to build a double loading chute for both semis and stock trailers. Now does anyone have experience with bud boxes on a loading chute. I'm thinking that way or a v style. No tub. Worked with them in auction markets and they are not my favourite.

[Happytrails]

My crowd alley forks after about 24'. One branch goes to semi loading chute and the other is an S alley to the palp cage and squeeze. Trailer chute starts parallel to main alley. Has a gate that blocks either alley. It all starts from the bud box. I wouldn't mind trying a double alley that branched later.

[smcgrath76]

We use a Bud box set up for semi's and ground loads. Chute has a gate to split either way after the bud box, depending on what is being loaded.
Last semi with calves took just over 10 minutes to load.
Ground load today for cows took under 7 minutes.
The best thing is to have it set up so the driver can easily get in and out to change gates in the truck and also depending on the trucker so they have a place to be (not back with the cows in the box).

[pickarock]

Thx so much for all the posts. Nothing like getting info from the ones actually doing the work! Now what do you think abt alleys - straight or curved. Tubs or bud boxes ....

[perfecho]

Vaccinated calves on weekend...the quick practise run through certainly did work...thanks for that tip.
I would use a bud box and I think if I made an alley, I would have the working side sheeted and open faced on off side...hopefully so they could see other cows leaving. Haven't used a curved alley, so will wait for responses from others...