Cattle crush

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A cattle crush in use in Australia

Chin (or neck) bar in operation during mouthing

A cattle crush (in British Isles, New Zealand and Australia, or in North America squeeze chute) is a strongly built stall or cage for holding cattle safely while they are examined, marked, given veterinary treatment or calves are fed.

A crush is usually built of heavy welded metal tube, and may be fixed or mobile. The front end may have a baulk gate that swings aside, and has a head bail (or neck yoke) to catch the animal. The bail is often adjustable to accommodate animals of different sizes. This bail may incorporate a neck bar to hold the animal's head still. A side lever operates the head bail to capture the animals, with the better types having a rear operated lever for easier movement of the cattle into the bail. Usually smaller animals can walk through the head bails that are incorporated in crushes.

Lower side panels and/or gates of sheet metal ensure animals’ legs do not get caught and reduce the likelihood of operator injury. At least one side gate is usually split to allow access to various parts of animals and to feed a calf etc. Hydraulic side squeezing crushes are designed to handle large numbers of cattle in a short period and at the same time immobilise the animal whilst keeping bruising to a minimum.

There is usually a single or split vet gate behind the animal to ensure operator safety, but the animal may be prevented from moving backwards by a horizontal rump bar inserted just behind its haunches into one of a series of slots. The rear entrance gate is usually a sliding gate that is operated from the side of the crush. A mobile crush must incorporate a strong floor, to prevent the animal moving it by walking along the ground.

Crushes vary in sophistication, according to requirements and cost. The simplest are just a part of a cattle race (chute) with a suitable head bail. More complex ones incorporate features such as automatic catching systems, hatches (to gain access to various parts of the animal), winches (to raise the feet or the whole animal), constricting sides to hold the animal firmly (normal in North America), a rocking floor to prevent kicking^[1], a weighing mechanism, or wheels to allow it to be moved as a trailer.

Specialist crushes are made for various purposes. For example, those designed for cattle with very long horns (such as Highland cattle) are low-sided or very wide, to avoid damage to the horns. Other specialist crushes include those for tasks such as foot-trimming or clipping the hair under the belly.