Squeeze chute visibility?

[Stocker Steve]

My original system is a head gate attached to a 16' long solid sided wood squeeze chute. The cattle can not see the head gate operator so even if they pause in the squeeze chute they usually commit to the head gate after a couple seconds.

My new system is a open sized steel squeeze chute at the end of a 32' long wood alley so the cattle can see the head gate operator. They often stall at the end of the alley or part way into the open sided squeeze chute and just stand there... :(

The headgate is a self catch but this is not always reliable so I like to have one head gate operator and one Bud box sorter to keep things flowing.

Any tips to eliminate the stalling other than making a plywood screen for the head gate operator?

 

[dun]

Learn to do the tail crank deal. AFter they've been through a couple of times they'll get better at it.

 

[SRBeef]

My original system is a head gate attached to a 16' long solid sided wood squeeze chute. The cattle can not see the head gate operator so even if they pause in the squeeze chute they usually commit to the head gate after a couple seconds.

My new system is a open sized steel squeeze chute at the end of a 32' long wood alley so the cattle can see the head gate operator. They often stall at the end of the alley or part way into the open sided squeeze chute and just stand there... :(

The headgate is a self catch but this is not always reliable so I like to have one head gate operator and one Bud box sorter to keep things flowing.

Any tips to eliminate the stalling other than making a plywood screen for the head gate operator?

How about adding a horizontal or vertical solid sliding gate between the alley and the chute? I added one at the entrance to the chute rather than the manufacturers bar grate. Keeps them calmer in the alley and when you open it quickly, the lead animal tends to move forward to the light. Then you can close it again and they have to go into the headgate. They don't get time to look around and get skittish. Good luck.

Jim

 

[KNERSIE]

Learn to do the tail crank deal. AFter they've been through a couple of times they'll get better at it.

.... or worse

 

[dun]

Learn to do the tail crank deal. AFter they've been through a couple of times they'll get better at it.

.... or worse

The "or worse" is what we get when we try to use closed sided chutes and alleyways. If they can see out they're fine but when they can't they try to climb over the sides.

 

[KNERSIE]

Learn to do the tail crank deal. AFter they've been through a couple of times they'll get better at it.

.... or worse

The "or worse" is what we get when we try to use closed sided chutes and alleyways. If they can see out they're fine but when they can't they try to climb over the sides.

Have to admit that I'm not sold on the closed sided alleys either, it does seem to work well on loading chutes especially if it is quite steep. After seeing very simple systems work much better than Temple Grandin's designs, I think I'll revert back to the old ways.

 

[Arkieman]

Dup

 

[Arkieman]

Learn to do the tail crank deal. AFter they've been through a couple of times they'll get better at it.

.... or worse

The "or worse" is what we get when we try to use closed sided chutes and alleyways. If they can see out they're fine but when they can't they try to climb over the sides.

My experience is once they give climbing/jumping a shot, that will always be their first reaction to any pressure. That's not good.... Had to sell a nice heifer cause her need to live out "the cow jumped over the moon" :cry2:

 

[cfpinz]

The moly silencer chutes have rubber flaps on the side that are angled so the animal doesn't have a clear view of the operator when they enter the chute. I've thought about making some for ours every now and then but it's not real high on my list of priorities. The only time we ever use the hotshot is when a cow/bull/whatever freezes in the alley or chute. And then it's only after we crank/slap/poke and they refuse to move. I think it's a lot more humane to give them a quick buzz on the butt than beat the snot out of them.

 

[hillsdown]

. I think it's a lot more humane to give them a quick buzz on the butt than beat the snot out of them.

Amen, there alot of folks out there that need a few whacks to the snout. I have seen some real horror stories, instead of doing a quick zap to get them moving (btw zap the end you need to go forward or backwards :roll: ) The cows head is all bloody and swollen. It makes me want to smack the shytt out of someone , and these are supposedly cattle folks. If someone ever treated my cattle like that they would be very sorry, ask my husband..

 

[Stocker Steve]

The moly silencer chutes have rubber flaps on the side that are angled so the animal doesn't have a clear view of the operator when they enter the chute. I've thought about making some for ours

The rubber flaps look better than the plywood :?: I had.

I have a hot shot but it I may use it once a year loading potbellies. I cull a jumper once in a while, correct the climbers once, and treat the wife' pets in the open corral if they don't want to move a step.

The tail crank does not work 100% for me. Do I need more torque or cattle with less attitude?

 

[hillsdown]

Steve, my hot shot is only brought out once a year too, an that is during herd health and it usually has to be used only once or twice on the stubborn ones.

 

[hillsdown]

Steve, my hot shot is only brought out once a year too, an that is during herd health and it usually has to be used only once or twice on the stubborn ones.

 

[dun]

I think the tail crank is a person specific thing. I can crank a tail somtimes till it looks like a pretzel and the idiot just turns her head to see what's happening. All the vet has to do is touch their tail and they're flying forward (usually)

 

[Stocker Steve]

The "or worse" is what we get when we try to use closed sided chutes and alleyways. If they can see out they're fine but when they can't they try to climb over the sides.

My original chute is solid. On the new place I used five rough cut oak planks spaced about 6" apart and nailed them to railroad ties. Then I boxed in the tops of opposing ties. There will be no escape from... :cboy:

 

[gberry]

Steve, how do you like the Bud Box? We are thinking of redoing our pens and have considered using the box instead of a crowding tub. Do you happen to have any pictures of your setup?

To block the view of cattle entering the squeeze chute, we used an old piece of conveyor belt woven in and out of the uprights on the chute with good success. Some will still balk, but it has helped quite a bit.

 

[novatech]

Stalling at the squeeze or blasting through are 2 of the reasons I just work mine in the alley. Pipe behind them or pack 3 in at a time, do what I need to do and let them out. Only time I use the squeeze is when I need to work on the head or udder, which is maybe once in a cows life.
If I have to use the squeeze and they balk then I have a pipe I put behind them. If they move forward the pipe moves forward using notches I put in the side of the chute. Sometimes I have to use the pipe as a lever and literally have lifted the entire rear off the ground. A training day about once a year just letting cattle walk through the squeeze, following each other, has done wonders for when I have to actually use the stinking thing.
As far a visibility is concerned I always thought an opaque shower curtain might work pretty good.

 

[Dave]

I really like those moly silencer chutes. Now if I can just win the lottery so I can afford to buy one.

Taking the time to run the entire bunch through the chute a couple times with everything open does work wonders. Years ago I worked for a rodeo contractor. Everytime we came to a different arena we ran all the bucking stock through the chutes into the arena and out the out gate several times. If cows think the way out is through the chute they go there with ease.

 

[SRBeef]

I really like those moly silencer chutes. Now if I can just win the lottery so I can afford to buy one.

Taking the time to run the entire bunch through the chute a couple times with everything open does work wonders. Years ago I worked for a rodeo contractor. Everytime we came to a different arena we ran all the bucking stock through the chutes into the arena and out the out gate several times. If cows think the way out is through the chute they go there with ease.

I think you hit on a secret. I give my herd treat grain in the corral fenceline bunks once a week or so. If I have time I will close all gates and leave them in there for an hour or so, just so they learn not to go nuts when enclosed. Then if it works out with the pasture rotation I will open the tub, gates and headgate as the way out.

A few of the older brighter cows lead the way and pretty soon they all exit calmly thru the tub, alley, chute and headgate.

The only "problem" I've seen with this training, according to my vet, so far is that during vet visits it makes it a bit tougher to sort say the calves from the cows since they all WANT to get into the tub and alley since they remember that is the way out... My vet says usually the problem is the other way around. This is simpler and less stressful on all of us though.

FWIW, I had the thought recently that diplomats should have a required background in working cattle...gives you a little insight into behavior.

Jim

 

[novatech]

FWIW, I had the thought recently that diplomats should have a required background in working cattle...gives you a little insight into behavior.

Jim

They have been doing it for years. Instead of sweet feed it's your tax dollars their feeding out. :lol2: