Description
This popular design for 150 Cow/Calf pairs has been used by ranchers throughout the U.S. The typical curved system holds nearly 100 cattle in the wide curved lane for shipping and receiving, or treatments in the squeeze chute. Easy access to the calving barn is useful in cold weather climates. At the top of the plan are two feeding pens with a concrete apron and feed bunk. Inside the covered work area covering the squeeze chute is climate controlled and has skylights in the roof to provide diffuse light. Diffuse light is the same as the light of a cloudy day, and works best for cattle because it does not cause shadows. The walls are covered with glass board, a completely washable material used in restaurant kitchens. An easy to clean facility is important, especially when the dealing with AI and other breeding procedures. When designing this facility, three important principles were used; solid sided fences in high use areas like the curved lane and crowd pen. Blocking vision with solid fences keeps the cattle calm. Deep groove concrete floors also keep cattle calm, and give them confidence to walk through the facility The last principle is curved fences. Curved fences promote forward motion and make cattle think they’re going back where they came from, and prevents abrupt corners or chutes that appear dead-ended, and takes advantage of their natural tendency to circle.
