It’s time for a chute

[AmandaQ]

I have an old Powder River grooming chute. It might fit your needs for gentle cattle that just need to be kept from moving around. A heavy duty stanchion type head catch on the front. Adjustable height side rails. Could use a new plywood floor. The group here can comment on whether it is suitable for you. Was used to groom show cattle. Not ideal, but can't beat the price. Free. About 10 miles from Lavonia, Ga.View attachment 58215View attachment 58216View attachment 58217

I'm SO happy!! Training starts tomorrow. Simme put the new floor in for me, it's absolutely perfect for both the cows and me to learn on!

 

[mwj]

Amanda you will find a lot of nice folks on this forum and he is one of the best!

 

[AmandaQ]

Amanda you will find a lot of nice folks on this forum and he is one of the best!

This is very true!!

 

[AmandaQ]

I'm SO happy!! Training starts tomorrow. Simme put the new floor in for me, it's absolutely perfect for both the cows and me to learn on!

 

[GoWyo]

I strongly suggest fastening that chute to a couple of posts before you lock one in the head gate. I have seen show cattle step sideways off a grooming chute floor, and get traction and take off with the chute. Was hard on people, cars in the parking lot, other animals. Critter finally stopped when it (and the chute) got wedged between two pickups in the parking lot. Lots of damage done.

 

[Travlr]

Let they get used to it... but for actual use you need to put it in a place where they have to go in to get their grain instead of cheating by going around.

 

[kenny thomas]

Amanda you will find a lot of nice folks on this forum and he is one of the best!

He sure is. This is the 3rd year that clinchvalley86 and i have traveled down to buy bulls from him. 5 bulls so far and we have never discussed a price until we were ready to load the bulls. He has always been more than fair.

 

[AmandaQ]

I strongly suggest fastening that chute to a couple of posts before you lock one in the head gate. I have seen show cattle step sideways off a grooming chute floor, and get traction and take off with the chute. Was hard on people, cars in the parking lot, other animals. Critter finally stopped when it (and the chute) got wedged between two pickups in the parking lot. Lots of damage done.

I'm going to learn how to use my post hole digger or pay someone to put the posts in!

 

[simme]

Remember that there are 4 pins required to secure the upright pieces to the base. One was missing and needs to be replaced. Tractor supply will have them. One was bent a little. We only put 2 of those in to hold it together for hauling. Get all 4 installed before you use it.

In one picture, the cow has her head between the bars that do not move. That is generally not good. If she were to get her head hung in there, she will pull the chute over. Possibly/probably getting injured in the process. I would not give the cows access to the chute unless someone is there. Generally, the chute would be in a barn or shed (out of the weather) and the cows would be in the pasture. Generally, the cows would be put into the chute only when you want them in there for a short period of time and someone was there to watch over things. I would leave the movable vertical bar open when not in use (top of the bar swung toward the outside of the chute making the middle space as wide as possible. When the cow to be caught goes in the chute, she needs to put her head/neck into the open middle slot. Then slide the movable bar toward the cow. The spring load latch on top will keep it from opening back up. Until you release the latch. That type chute is generally for cattle with a halter on. Generally walk the haltered cattle into the chute. Person stays outside the chute on left side, pass the halter rope around the rear upright and then through the center opening at the front, closing the movable bar onto the neck of the cow as she follows the rope through the center opening. Then tie the rope lead to the steel ring on the top front.

If you use it to bring cattle into without a halter, I would tie a panel on each side like we discussed. Or get someone to weld some steel pipes on each side to prevent the cow from going over or under the single side pieces on each side. And get it anchored down, especially if they are not haltered.

The floor I installed are heavy boards, but not treated. If the chute is going to stay outside in the rain, I would replace the boards with treated plywood. Otherwise the boards will rot out.

 

[simme]

@AmandaQ , In the picture of the cows at the chute, is that the pasture the cows stay in? That looks to be a lawn that is mowed. All the grass is at the same height and low. Do they stay in a pasture with more/taller grass?

 

[AmandaQ]

Remember that there are 4 pins required to secure the upright pieces to the base. One was missing and needs to be replaced. Tractor supply will have them. One was bent a little. We only put 2 of those in to hold it together for hauling. Get all 4 installed before you use it.

In one picture, the cow has her head between the bars that do not move. That is generally not good. If she were to get her head hung in there, she will pull the chute over. Possibly/probably getting injured in the process. I would not give the cows access to the chute unless someone is there. Generally, the chute would be in a barn or shed (out of the weather) and the cows would be in the pasture. Generally, the cows would be put into the chute only when you want them in there for a short period of time and someone was there to watch over things. I would leave the movable vertical bar open when not in use (top of the bar swung toward the outside of the chute making the middle space as wide as possible. When the cow to be caught goes in the chute, she needs to put her head/neck into the open middle slot. Then slide the movable bar toward the cow. The spring load latch on top will keep it from opening back up. Until you release the latch. That type chute is generally for cattle with a halter on. Generally walk the haltered cattle into the chute. Person stays outside the chute on left side, pass the halter rope around the rear upright and then through the center opening at the front, closing the movable bar onto the neck of the cow as she follows the rope through the center opening. Then tie the rope lead to the steel ring on the top front.

If you use it to bring cattle into without a halter, I would tie a panel on each side like we discussed. Or get someone to weld some steel pipes on each side to prevent the cow from going over or under the single side pieces on each side. And get it anchored down, especially if they are not haltered.

The floor I installed are heavy boards, but not treated. If the chute is going to stay outside in the rain, I would replace the boards with treated plywood. Otherwise the boards will rot out.

We are going to move it into our stall but not until the calf has her last anesthesia episode in early June. She needs a steroid shot and then hopefully she is good to go.

 

[MurraysMutts]

I think they are doing it wrong. But good on them for trying!!

Now all ya need is a sweet lil jersey cow for milking!
But of coarse, that requires a bull too....