Cattle Restraint Equipment: Design, Types, and Prices

It is essential to have proper restraining equipment for cattle. If a worker were to attempt to restrain an animal with their bare hands, the animal could seriously injure someone. Cattle restraint equipment protects the workers, and also reduces stress on the animals. The proper equipment makes it possible to restrain cattle from moving while they are being treated by veterinarians or while they are being transported.

What are Cattle Restraint Equipment and Their Uses?

Cattle Restraint Equipment is a system of equipment used to hold cattle in place. It’s designed to keep the animal from moving too much, so it can be easily handled by humans. It can be used for branding, dipping, shearing, dehorning, and other procedures. The purpose of the equipment is to ensure that the animal remains still while it is being worked on by humans or machines.

Cattle restraint equipment comes in many different shapes and sizes, depending on what type of animal you are working with. Also, the type of restraint and reason for restraint. For example, if you need to restrain an animal because it is sick or injured then you will need more equipment than if you are simply trying to move them from one place to another. The equipment also reduces the risk of injury to humans and makes handling easier.

When we think of cattle, we think of huge, majestic animals that can easily overpower their owners. However, there are times when it is necessary to restrain these animals for various reasons. There are many different kinds of restraints that can be used to accomplish this task. The type of restraint you use will depend on the animal’s size and temperament as well as the reason for restraining it.

Cattle Restraint Equipment has a variety of uses, including:

  • Keeping animals calm during transportation or processing
  • Cattle restraint equipment is used to hold and restrain the animals during all kinds of procedures, from vaccinations to milking and processing.
  • Making it easier for farmers to measure and weigh their cattle
  • Allowing farmers to safely handle their animals

Proper Design of Restraint Equipment

The proper design of cattle restraint equipment is vital for the safety of workers and animals alike. Non-slip flooring and pressure points on the animal’s body are crucial considerations when choosing restraint equipment. Also, beef and dairy cows require different restraint techniques.

When selecting a cattle stall, the design of the lairage should be considered. It should have enough space to hold the correct number of animals for the slaughterhouse. It should not interfere with the animal’s ability to move and avoid intrusions in its flight zone. The positioning of the feeding and lifting points should be centered over the pen. In addition, the design should be flexible enough to allow the operator to quickly separate animals based on their needs.

In addition to the animal’s comfort, the proper design of the cattle restraint equipment also protects against stress and injury. Small design mistakes can have huge consequences. For instance, a pusher gate that is gently opened and closed around cattle can cause them to put their heads in a stanchion head restrainer. The vertical travel of a belly lift should not be more than 71 cm, or the animal may get knocked off the floor.

Aversion tests are conducted to determine whether the animal will enter a particular place if restrained. Aversion tests are highly important in this regard, as animals have long memories of negative experiences. Therefore, an upright position will reduce the amount of time the sheep will resist being restrained. Moreover, aversive actions such as hitting will not be tolerated in a cattle stall, as it is highly aversive.

Dairy cows and beef cows require special restraint techniques

In order to prevent physical damage to the animal, it’s important to understand the proper techniques for restraint. These techniques vary depending on the species and temperament of the animal. For example, small calves should be restrained in the lateral recumbent position, which is generally well-tolerated. The techniques used for the restraint of cattle should also be adapted to the purpose of the restraint.

The first method involves determining the animal’s aversion to the restraint situation. For instance, aversion tests are useful in determining which restraint techniques work best for which animals. For example, cattle that were previously aversive to hitting were found to be less averse to this technique than animals that were not. Similarly, cows that have been subjected to hitting were found to be less averse to the technique of being restrained while in an upright position.

Types of Cattle Restraint Equipment

Cattle Restraint Equipment is a wide range of devices used to restrain cattle during procedures such as veterinary examinations or vaccinations. In this section, we’ll describe various restraint methods and equipment. In addition, we’ll look at the pros and cons of this equipment.

#1. Adjustable Alley System

Tired of chasing after skittish calves or cleaning up spilled milk? The adjustable alley system is for you.

This adjustable, multi-faceted alley system is capable of adapting to a variety of bovine needs. Its versatility makes it ideal for those who need one piece of equipment that can be used in a variety of ways and spaces. Its adjustable width means that it can accommodate any animal, from small calves to full-grown bulls. And when your cattle have been safely secured, the low maintenance and easy cleanup will tide you over until the next milking session.

The best part about the adjustable alley system is its portability: with just four bolts, this unit can be set up anywhere and everywhere you take it. Plus, its simple design makes using it a breeze. Anybody can do it.

#2. Fixed Alley System

A fixed alley system consists of a series of pieces of equipment that are positioned at a set distance from each other and designed for a specific task. The equipment is fixed, meaning that it cannot be adjusted to best fit the cow being processed. A fixed alley system will usually consist of:

  • Alley sections to guide cows into a single file
  • Crowd gates to keep cattle in place while waiting their turn
  • A squeeze chute with a side exit (no head gate) and side open neck extender or an adjustable height head gate with a holding area and neck extender

#3. Trailer Restraint

Trailer restraint. A few important precautions should be followed when loading cattle into a trailer:

-It’s essential to keep yourself safe at all times, so make sure you have the proper restraint equipment on hand. For example, if you want to use an electric prod, check out the Hot-Shot Stock Prod, which is capable of delivering a strong shock and features a flexible fiberglass rod that can easily reach around corners and through bars.

-A headgate is mandatory to prevent cattle from backing out of the trailer while you work with them. If you’re looking for an affordable option, check out our Portable Headgate in this catalog.

-Loading chutes are ideal for getting animals into a trailer without risk of injury or death (to them or to you). We recommend using one that has been constructed with smooth edges and no sharp protrusions that could end up stabbing your livestock.

#4. Headgate

A headgate is a gate that is placed in front of a cattle chute to keep the animal from moving. Headgates are used to calm and steady animals for inspection or veterinary care, or ear tagging.

Headgates allow you to keep the animal from moving around, which can be very useful when administering medications or general exams. They can also be used to gently restrain an animal if it needs to be examined closer and more thoroughly than normal.

Other Cattle Restraints:

  • Crush
  • Rope restraints
  • Preventing kicking
  • Treatment Area in Return Lane
  • Loading Ramps
  • Fence Line Stanchions
  • Breeding Facilities
  • Headgates and Chutes

Non-slip flooring on restraint devices

Cow traction methods can vary depending on the type of restraint device and producer preference. Optimal sole stability is the primary goal. The manufacturer should provide dimensions, orientation, and configuration to maximize cow stability. These specifications should be referenced in the contract documents. Depending on the design, the cows could be held at different levels or on a raised platform. A stable platform is more stable than a rocky platform.

A non-slip floor in a squeeze chute is important. Even a well-behaved show steer can slip and become entangled in its restraint device, causing it to panic and suffer an injury. The same principle applies to the floor of a grooming chute. If a cow slips and starts to panic, it will most likely lose confidence and run away, resulting in further injury or stress.

Currently, the most common flooring surface in dairy confinement facilities is concrete. Concrete requires special grooves and patterned surfaces to prevent slips and falls. Unfortunately, cows’ hooves are exposed to excessive stress on concrete surfaces, so alternate flooring surfaces should be installed to ensure the cows’ well-being. Luckily, there are several types of flooring that can relieve the stress caused by cow hooves.

Cattle restraint devices Pros and Cons

Using cattle restraint devices is one way to prevent struggling. Cattle are herd animals and can be very difficult to handle if they become agitated. They may also have difficulty adapting to a new environment. While cattle can be easily handled in a familiar environment, they may not be as cooperative when confined to a squeeze chute. Cattle restraint devices can help prevent struggling by reducing the amount of stress and anxiety caused by the process.

While a cattle restraint device can prevent a great deal of stress, it is useless if it is being used carelessly. Although the equipment is designed to prevent rough handling, it can’t do much to stop animal cruelty. Managing staff is important, too. A good operation will train its employees to minimize the chances of rough handling. Roughly handled places are usually inexperienced or lax management.

The headgate of a squeeze chute should be opened quickly to avoid lunging or discomfort for the animal. A double-rail conveyor restrainer can also be used in large feedlots. Gearn Industries conducted trials with this type of restrainer in Texas and showed that it reduced the trauma on the bovine neck. A solid hold-down rack is also essential so that the cattle cannot see out. Cattle restraint devices reduce struggle and provide a safe environment for the animals.

Regardless of which type of restraint device you choose, it’s important to use one that is safe for the animals. Many restraint devices have uncomfortable pressure points that gouge the animals’ shoulders. A double-rail restrainer was designed to avoid these pressure points. A wide, low-pitched rumble is more effective at reducing the stress and discomfort caused by pressure. It’s important to choose a restraint device that’s designed for the type of livestock you have.

Prices:

Cattle Restraint Equipment will cost you from $1,200 mounted on a vehicle to $4000 for a portable restraint system, and $5000 for permanent fencing around the perimeter of your farm. The most economical way to contain cattle is to do it through permanent fencing.

In conclusion,

There are many different types of cattle restraints available depending on what you need them for. The most common type of restraint is a crate or chute that the animal enters into, and when inside it cannot move around. This type of equipment is used in veterinary offices and slaughterhouses. Another common type of restraint is using a squeeze chute, which restrains the animal by pushing in on its sides, ensuring that it will not move while being worked on.

Here are some different types of cattle restraint equipment:

  • Adjustable Alley System. These adjustable alley systems can be used to load, vaccinate, and castrate cattle.
  • Fixed Alley System. Fixed alleys can also be used for loading, vaccinating, and castrating cattle.
  • Trailer Restraint. Use trailer restraints when you need to move your cattle from point A to point B in a vehicle instead of on foot.
  • Headgate. Want to restrain just the head of a cow? Use the headgate.

2 thoughts on “Cattle Restraint Equipment: Design, Types, and Prices”

  1. Good afternoon.
    I want to purchase a cattle handling kraals.
    In South Africa North west province.

    Thanking you in anticipation.

    MJ Bogosi.
    0822603018

    Reply

Leave a Comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.