When it comes to looking after and ensuring the safety of your cattle and livestock, a properly constructed and well-maintained enclosure is absolutely crucial. This is an ongoing process; you have to remain vigilant and be prepared to constantly renovate and maintain your enclosures to ensure they remain up to the required standard.
It can be a daunting prospect, especially for those of us with large properties and fields. If your enclosures are due a revamp, fear not. We’ve put together a guide with some of the top things you need to consider when doing your renovations. Keep reading to check it out.
What Condition are your Gates in?
Gates are absolutely vital. They allow you to access your fields and livestock and can help you control the movement of your cattle. However, exposure to the elements can damage and degrade gates, which can result in malfunction and livestock escaping the enclosure. This risk can be mitigated by keeping a close eye on the condition of your gates and repairing or replacing when necessary.
If the time has come to renovate your enclosure’s gate, there are a number of options for you to choose from. Generally, metal gates are the most popular choice for both their versatility and durability. They come in a range of sizes and styles and can be adjusted to suit the specific requirements of your property. Metal gates are strong and can withstand damage from livestock, extreme weather conditions, and vehicle impact. Additional locks and bolts can be easily installed to further improve security.
The type of metal used can have an effect on both the gate’s performance and the cost. Aluminum is one of the most commonly used materials as it is lightweight and highly resistant to rust. One alternative to aluminum is steel. While not as lightweight, steel is incredibly strong as is perfect for properties that are subject to heavy winds and extreme weather.
Consider Installing a Cattle Grid
Cattle grids are placed over dips in the ground at the perimeter of an enclosure, with spaced bars that are incredibly effective at discouraging and keeping away cattle as they are unable to walk across grids. Grids can come in various sizes and weight-bearing categories, you can check out sites like mcveighparker.com and have a look at what’s on offer.
A cattle grid can be a fantastic alternative solution to a gate. They are perfect for areas where a gate might not be appropriate, such as adjacent to a public walkway or over a road. Grids require far less maintenance and upkeep than gates. What’s more, they allow for quick and easy access for vehicles. Gates require manual opening and closing to allow vehicle access, while grids can simply be driven straight over.
Bear in mind that support walls and guard fencing must be installed around a cattle grid. This is to allow vehicles to position themselves correctly before driving over the grid and to discourage livestock from encroaching.
Do you need a Cattle Crush?
Handling livestock can be dangerous. Cattle are immensely powerful animals and working with them comes with the risk of being kicked, butted, or gored, which can all lead to serious injury.
A cattle crush is an invaluable piece of equipment that can allow you to carry out checks and other safety tasks on your cattle in a secure and safe way. Put simply, a cattle crush is a large, secure cage that livestock can be placed into and held in place while checks or procedures are carried out. They are perfect for things like marking, tagging, medical examinations, or veterinary procedures, while they can also be used to encourage calf suckling.
Cattle crushes have a locking front yoke that holds the animal’s head in place, as well as a rump rail to stop the animal moving inside the cage. Crushes should be secured to the ground to prevent movement or tipping and should have slip resistant flooring inside. Cattle crushes must be regularly maintained and repaired to ensure they are functioning correctly; this will help prevent injury to both livestock and humans.
Specialised cattle crushes can offer extra interior space and can be used for tasks like foot trimming.
Conclusion
The thought of renovating or updating a cattle enclosure can often be an intimidating thought. However, it is vital you ensure the safety of your property and livestock. Follow these tips above to guarantee your enclosure is as secure as possible.
