Cattle race

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A curved "V" (tapered) race leading to a covered crush
A curved "V" (tapered) race leading to a covered crush

A cattle race is a narrow channel through which cattle (and also sheep, pigs or other animals) pass one by one. In North America it is usually known as a chute or runway.

[edit] Overview

A race is two parallel panels or fences with a space between them just wide enough for one animal. It is used for routine farming activities such as drafting (sorting) or loading animals into a vehicle, or to place them one at a time in a cattle crush (squeeze chute) for examination, marking or veterinary treatment. With adult cattle in a standard race, they form a queue which can only go forwards. Calves (and other smaller animals such as sheep) can turn around in an adult cattle race, so require a narrower race. The width of some races is adjustable to accommodate different animals.

Cattle races may be portable, or may be a permanent fixture with a concrete walkway. Portable races may be made of steel or aluminium, but permanent ones are usually of steel (sometimes timber), possibly set in concrete, with solid or railed sides and a non-slip floor. Races are of sturdy construction to prevent damage to the race, or injury to animals or operators. Where floored in concrete, this is made wider than the race to prevent hooves catching between the bottom rail and the edge of the concrete. Lower parts of panels may be removable in the event of an animal becoming cast (fallen) or caught up.

The length of the race is usually determined by the size of the herd – a longer one requires less penning-up of a larger herd. Longer races may be curved, to improve the movement of the animals. A walkway may be provided on one or both sides to allow the handler easy examination or treatment of animals from above.

A calf race leading to a calf cradle
A calf race leading to a calf cradle

There are gates at the start and end of the race to regulate the movement of animals. The entrance is from a small funnel-shaped or semi-circular forcing pen or forcing yard, where a gate might be used to force cattle into the race. The gates are usually arranged so the operator cannot become trapped or injured by the cattle. This can be achieved with sliding gates across the race, exit gates may unlatched by a remotely operated cord, or for forcing pen gates, with a self-locking brake-latch to prevent the cattle pushing the gate backwards.

The exit from the race may be through a drafting gate, which swings to open one or other of several exits for separating animals into various groups.

[edit] Calf race

A calf race and cradle makes calf branding and castration much quicker and cleaner. These, too, are available in temporary or permanent styles. The steel transportable race and table cradle as shown in the photo are the most popular in Australia and New Zealand.

[edit] External links