[Pics] Tin Horn Question

[gltrap54]

Got a pair (my first!) of Angus heifers that should be fattened out by Labor Day and as the time draws near I have to wonder how we're going to get them in a trailer....... I have an experienced cattleman doing my hauling, but he's a cranky ol f*rt that doesn't offer up much advice. I know you're not supposed to get the cows too stressed out when loading them for slaughter, so I'm a bit nerveous here....... I've posted pics of my pasture gate hoping someone can chime in & help the Rexall Ranger! BTW the heifers are pretty calm animals, but still won't allow me to walk right up to them.

 

[ThreeBoysChicks]

I would say you are going to need some sort of a shoot. Maybe a could of gates that you can use to close them into a smaller area and then push them up into the truck.

 

[gltrap54]

I would say you are going to need some sort of a shoot. Maybe a could of gates that you can use to close them into a smaller area and then push them up into the truck.

That was kinda what I had in mind. Could I build something temporary from panels & T posts?

 

[WildRoseBeef]

You have the gate located in the right area (in the corner), as cattle typically go for a corner when herded. But what you need to know is how to work them using flight zone and predator-prey communication type thing. And the other thing is that it looks like those heifers have a large area to run around in. What you need to do is to get those heifers in a smaller pen (not pasture, a pen [or corral]) so you can get them where you want them to go without trying to escape or constantly circling you. Have a smaller gate attached to it so that the trailer is the only route of escape for the heifers. A 16 ft. gate like below is too large and a big enough space for them to escape through. A smaller man-sized gate, one that is around 36" wide, is best. An alleyway leading to this gate is also recommended, leading to and from the small pen. Preferably it should be about 30" wide or as wide as the gate.

Some cattle are really good at getting into the trailer without needing any corrals or alleyways. Usually because they know what the trailer means: food. But since you may not have enough time to coax the heifers into the trailer with food, the best option is what I described above.

Good luck!

 

[WildRoseBeef]

I would say you are going to need some sort of a shoot. Maybe a could of gates that you can use to close them into a smaller area and then push them up into the truck.

That was kinda what I had in mind. Could I build something temporary from panels & T posts?

Yes.

 

[karl e. lutz the great]

Get help. I started feeding my 2 heiffers in the stall in the morning so i could get them shut in. Then I backed my stock trailer up to the stall. Iplanned out in advance for this I built all the stalls so they would open."They are just gaits set up to swing open so they open out to the door. Backed the trailer up opened the gate and it was like a fence going to the trailer. Istill had to have two other guys help walk ther girls into the trailer.

 

[gltrap54]

You have the gate located in the right area (in the corner), as cattle typically go for a corner when herded. But what you need to know is how to work them using flight zone and predator-prey communication type thing. And the other thing is that it looks like those heifers have a large area to run around in. What you need to do is to get those heifers in a smaller pen (not pasture, a pen [or corral]) so you can get them where you want them to go without trying to escape or constantly circling you. Have a smaller gate attached to it so that the trailer is the only route of escape for the heifers. A 16 ft. gate like below is too large and a big enough space for them to escape through. A smaller man-sized gate, one that is around 36" wide, is best. An alleyway leading to this gate is also recommended, leading to and from the small pen. Preferably it should be about 30" wide or as wide as the gate.

Some cattle are really good at getting into the trailer without needing any corrals or alleyways. Usually because they know what the trailer means: food. But since you may not have enough time to coax the heifers into the trailer with food, the best option is what I described above.

Good luck!

Thanks Karin for your input! I'll try to construct a pen such as you've described......

 

[goodhors]

Getting some of the horse round pen panels, will allow you to make a nice smaller pen with little work in a corner area of the pasture or in front of the barn area.

Totally agree that having a smaller, person sized gate, 4ft wide in the perimeter fence is a great idea.

Then put the water tank and feeder for grain inside the smaller pen to entice cattle inside. Practice shutting the gate behind them while they eat, let them stand a bit before releasing them after feeding. You want cattle comfortable in that pen, it is someplace they have good things happen. Confinement is NORMAL on a DAILY basis. They do not stress when gate is shut on them. You should not have to "sneak" up to shut the gate, be visible and easy moving, just part of their day's routine.

Cattle LOVE routine they can count on, whatever weird thing that is. Getting fed with gate closed is an easy one! Needs to be done DAILY, so everything is expected.

You need to have this pen area solid enough to hold them even if they want to get back to the grass or you leave them in a few minutes longer than normal. Don't underbuild.

 

[gltrap54]

Getting some of the horse round pen panels, will allow you to make a nice smaller pen with little work in a corner area of the pasture or in front of the barn area.

Totally agree that having a smaller, person sized gate, 4ft wide in the perimeter fence is a great idea.

Then put the water tank and feeder for grain inside the smaller pen to entice cattle inside. Practice shutting the gate behind them while they eat, let them stand a bit before releasing them after feeding. You want cattle comfortable in that pen, it is someplace they have good things happen. Confinement is NORMAL on a DAILY basis. They do not stress when gate is shut on them. You should not have to "sneak" up to shut the gate, be visible and easy moving, just part of their day's routine.

Cattle LOVE routine they can count on, whatever weird thing that is. Getting fed with gate closed is an easy one! Needs to be done DAILY, so everything is expected.

You need to have this pen area solid enough to hold them even if they want to get back to the grass or you leave them in a few minutes longer than normal. Don't underbuild.

Thanks! This is very helpful info! The guy that built my fence is going to stop by & take a look at what I'm needing....