Squeeze Chute/Alleyway System

Do most of you have some sort of squeeze chute/alleyway/tub system?

I am about to re-do/build a new system for handling my small 25-30 cow calf operation.

Is yours outdoors or in a barn?

Any ideas or thoughts, especially for movement/flow and gating, for getting cattle into the tub, would be appreciated.

I am thinking of a system with a tub, one 8' alley and a squeeze chute with palpation cage.  Either putting in a barn or outside with some gates around it.

Thankyou,

An 8' alleyway is only enough room to load 1 cow unless you have mini's, might want to lengthen that.  It'll save lots of steps when you can load multiple head at one time versus 1 in the chute and 1 in the alley. We have a 90 degree tub, a bud box and the old tradional v down to the alley, with limited use so far because its new the bud box seems to work the smoothest with the execption of calves just becasuse they don't know what to do.

If you have a barn/shelter or can build one, definitely put it under roof.  Especially if you AI or work cattle rain or shine.  It will be easier on you and less stressful for everyone.

I agree on making the alley a little longer. I like having the alley lined with something from the ground to about 3 or 4 feet up. That keeps a cow or calf getting a leg through it.
Don't know what you are doing for a chute, but my favorite is Cowco. I know chutes are like trucks, everyone has their favorites and opinions but the Cowco chute is probably the easiest one I have ever worked with. The people there are great also.

afhm said:

An 8' alleyway is only enough room to load 1 cow unless you have mini's, might want to lengthen that.  It'll save lots of steps when you can load multiple head at one time versus 1 in the chute and 1 in the alley. We have a 90 degree tub, a bud box and the old tradional v down to the alley, with limited use so far because its new the bud box seems to work the smoothest with the execption of calves just becasuse they don't know what to do.

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Thanks for your ideas!  Please excuse my ignorance...but, what is a "bud box"?  What/how is it used in an alleyway system?  I have never seen one or have never seen pictures of one.  Who sells them?  Where might I see a photo of one online?

Thanks,

Doc said:

I agree on making the alley a little longer. I like having the alley lined with something from the ground to about 3 or 4 feet up. That keeps a cow or calf getting a leg through it.
Don't know what you are doing for a chute, but my favorite is Cowco. I know chutes are like trucks, everyone has their favorites and opinions but the Cowco chute is probably the easiest one I have ever worked with. The people there are great also.

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I live in Michigan and Cowco Livestock Equipment is made in Indiana.  I have seen there cattle equipment and agree with your assessment.  I am planning on purchasing a Cowco tub and alleyway and three gates (to attach to the tub), to start and use my old squeeze chute for now.  Planning on replacing my old squeeze chute later, $$$$.

Check out Bud box on you tube.

In my experience the bud box works best with wilder cattle.  Old show heifers find a way to plug it up and do not flow since they have virtually no flight zone unless they are getting physical pressure from a cattle paddle or poker.  They work better through a tub.

beebe said:

Check out Bud box on you tube.

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Thanks I will check it out!

GoWyo said:

In my experience the bud box works best with wilder cattle.  Old show heifers find a way to plug it up and do not flow since they have virtually no flight zone unless they are getting physical pressure from a cattle paddle or poker.  They work better through a tub.

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Thank you!  Many of my cows have been handled allot.  They are pretty calm.  Perhaps a "Bud Box", would not work well in my situation.

I would consider access to a semi in your design.

When setting up your system...Is it more beneficial to place the opening going into the tub, and the controls for the squeeze chute on the same side?

Also, do most of you have a narrow "raised walk-way" attached to the side of your "alleyway" between your tub and squeeze chute? How much is it raised above ground level?

Tub entry on same side as chute controls if you are likely to be working them by yourself or need to give instructions to the helpers loading the tub.

A catwalk on the alley can be really handy for giving you the elevation to work from when running them through quickly for CIDR install, shots, pours, etc. where you do not need to catch each one.  Load the alley up, work them and let them out the front.

For 25-30 cows spend your money on headlocks.  You can buy 30 lock ups for around $2-2,500 and work cows way faster than a tub and alley.  You can do everything by yourself.

I just pregnancy checked 28 cows in 40 minutes.

We use ours to sort cows. 

When bedding we lock the cows up, swing all the gates open, bed every pen, close everything up then let them go.

We can individually feed every cow and not worry about boss cows eating it all and the timid ones not getting anything.