Calving gate dimensions

johnpawl · 25-03-2013 7:04pm #1

I'm thinking of making something like this and am not sure of the measurements. Could anyone tell me the length and height of something similar to this. Also what would be the size of the required opening for c section?
http://imageshack.us/a/img202/5962/photojan27154400.jpg

25-03-2013 7:34pm

johnpawl wrote: »

I'm thinking of making something like this and am not sure of the measurements. Could anyone tell me the length and height of something similar to this. Also what would be the size of the required opening for c section?
http://imageshack.us/a/img202/5962/photojan27154400.jpg

Do you really want a fixed head gate?... If cow goes down while calving could be very difficult!

johnpawl · 25-03-2013 7:44pm

49801 wrote: »

Do you really want a fixed head gate?... If cow goes down while calving could be very difficult!

The way my shed is set up the end of the crush is facing into the calving pen so I can use that head gate (it'll be able to rotate).Would it not be the same as having a three in one if cow goes down?

25-03-2013 8:30pm

johnpawl wrote: »

The way my shed is set up the end of the crush is facing into the calving pen so I can use that head gate (it'll be able to rotate).Would it not be the same as having a three in one if cow goes down?

So long as you can release the head gate under pressure of a 600kg plus animal it will be ok.

reilig · 25-03-2013 9:23pm

49801 wrote: »

Do you really want a fixed head gate?... If cow goes down while calving could be very difficult!

Put a clip pin in the bolt that holds the adjustable bar in the headgate. If the cow goes down, just pull the pin and tip out the bolt with a hammer. That's the way every gate similar to the link that I have see has been done. You you never tighten the bar too tight on the neck of a cow that was calving anyway. Even if she does go down, you should be able to loosen the bar.

johnpawl · 25-03-2013 9:32pm

reilig wrote: »

Put a clip pin in the bolt that holds the adjustable bar in the headgate. If the cow goes down, just pull the pin and tip out the bolt with a hammer. That's the way every gate similar to the link that I have see has been done. You you never tighten the bar too tight on the neck of a cow that was calving anyway. Even if she does go down, you should be able to loosen the bar.

I made a piece for it on the lathe and drilled a hole in it to accommodate an r-clip it could be removed in the way you describe. Hopefully should do the job anyway!

grazeaway · 25-03-2013 10:15pm

johnpawl wrote: »

I'm thinking of making something like this and am not sure of the measurements. Could anyone tell me the length and height of something similar to this. Also what would be the size of the required opening for c section?
http://imageshack.us/a/img202/5962/photojan27154400.jpg[/QUOTE

Have similar set up but have the old crush gate. The gate splits in two to release so can be opened very quickly if needed. I think I might change it out for a semi auto gate, just easier for locking the cow in.

Juniorhurler · 25-03-2013 11:08pm

The top bar in that gate would be a nuisance lifting out calves during a section. Also keep the head gate out from the wall as it could be Seward if she went down.

vanderbadger · 26-03-2013 7:33am

probably needs to be hung a bit higher , the middle part is adjustable though you cant really see from pic, and can be pushed up along the main bar on the left, there are pin holes for holding it in place

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grazeaway · 26-03-2013 8:39am

i dont have a calving gate like this on mine just and ordinary gate for coralling in the cow (might get one in the furture if just for keeping the cow steady if i have to draw them. I have the crush gate mounted on a h iron that is hilti bolted to the floor with a cross bar on the top back to the shed pillar for support. I have the gate mounted on H iron brackets so that it can be easy to adjust up or down if i need to. Looking at this pic the gate seems to be locked in position.

vanderbadger · 26-03-2013 9:32am

grazeaway wrote: »

i dont have a calving gate like this on mine just and ordinary gate for coralling in the cow (might get one in the furture if just for keeping the cow steady if i have to draw them. I have the crush gate mounted on a h iron that is hilti bolted to the floor with a cross bar on the top back to the shed pillar for support. I have the gate mounted on H iron brackets so that it can be easy to adjust up or down if i need to. Looking at this pic the gate seems to be locked in position.

kerry co op hanging post, i can take it on and off but i cant adjust the height without welding

johnpawl · 26-03-2013 10:12am

vanderbadger wrote: »

probably needs to be hung a bit higher , the middle part is adjustable though you cant really see from pic, and can be pushed up along the main bar on the left, there are pin holes for holding it in place

Uploaded with ImageShack.us

Thanks a lot for that, I've something to work off now. Am I correct in saying that in the gate I put up a pic of the centre part swings back for the section, whereas in yours the centre part stays and the frame swings back?

vanderbadger · 26-03-2013 10:22am

johnpawl wrote: »

Thanks a lot for that, I've something to work off now. Am I correct in saying that in the gate I put up a pic of the centre part swings back for the section, whereas in yours the centre part stays and the frame swings back?

no i think the idea is the centre part swings back to do a section leaving the main body of gate closed but if you want to get a calf in sucking and just restrain a cow then tie the centre part to the wall and swing the main body of the gate back..at least i think thats the idea

vanderbadger · 26-03-2013 10:25am

it was dark in there this morning so its not a great pic but the centre part is attached to a larger diameter pipe than the rest of the gate so its able to swing around and slide up and down if that makes any sense

blue5000 · 27-01-2015 11:13pm

Old thread I know but just wondering what works and what doesn't. Vander me ol sparring partner is gone so if anyone else has dimensions of a good one could they post them up or put up a link, thanks.

Greengrass1 · 27-01-2015 11:22pm

blue5000 wrote: »

Old thread I know but just wondering what works and what doesn't. Vander me ol sparring partner is gone so if anyone else has dimensions of a good one could they post them up or put up a link, thanks.

I bought one for 280e. Could have spent two days pricking around trying to make one..very good quality too

tanko · 27-01-2015 11:26pm

Persteel.com, performance steel Oldcastle Co. Meath have a fine looking calving gate on their website.

Genghis Cant · 28-01-2015 12:03am

tanko wrote: »

Persteel.com, performance steel Oldcastle Co. Meath have a fine looking calving gate on their website.

Have one of them. Great job. No idea what it cost, it's there 5 or 6 year now.

tanko · 28-01-2015 1:03am

Genghis Cant wrote: »

Have one of them. Great job. No idea what it cost, it's there 5 or 6 year now.

Yeah, I like the look of it. Looks like they put a bit of thought into the design. The curved bar which locks the cows head in place looks like it gives the head plenty of space if the cow goes down.

Genghis Cant · 28-01-2015 1:39am

tanko wrote: »

Yeah, I like the look of it. Looks like they put a bit of thought into the design. The curved bar which locks the cows head in place looks like it gives the head plenty of space if the cow goes down.

There are two settings on the bottom bar where that curved bar can connect to. You can adjust the spacing. It's a pin an clip fixture, so can be removed easily enough. Though I don't suppose anything is easy when a cow goes down.

onyerbikepat · 28-01-2015 8:28am

tanko wrote: »

Persteel.com, performance steel Oldcastle Co. Meath have a fine looking calving gate on their website.

Last weeks Farmers Journal, I think, reviewed all the calving gates with prices, on the Irish Market. I have to say I thought the one from Performance Steel looked the best, price and all considered.

http://www.persteel.com/Calving%20Gate.html

valtraman · 28-01-2015 9:08am

Persteel calving gate looks strong and the internal forcing gate goes down low so cow wont try and go under but the fact that you have to walk into pen and use your body to block the gap and guide the cow into the gate makes it only suitable for VERY QUIET cows

blue5000 · 28-01-2015 4:25pm

tanko wrote: »

Persteel.com, performance steel Oldcastle Co. Meath have a fine looking calving gate on their website.

Genghis Cant wrote: »

Have one of them. Great job. No idea what it cost, it's there 5 or 6 year now.

How big is the opening?

onyerbikepat wrote: »

Last weeks Farmers Journal, I think, reviewed all the calving gates with prices, on the Irish Market. I have to say I thought the one from Performance Steel looked the best, price and all considered.

http://www.persteel.com/Calving%20Gate.html

I don't buy it anymore, wait for the old lad to finish it first.

valtraman wrote: »

Persteel calving gate looks strong and the internal forcing gate goes down low so cow wont try and go under but the fact that you have to walk into pen and use your body to block the gap and guide the cow into the gate makes it only suitable for VERY QUIET cows

Looks like everybody likes this except valtraman! Has anyone had to do a C-section with one, was there enough room? I have a good of pipe left here from another job, would prefer to put in a day welding than fork out 280yoyo.

visatorro · 28-01-2015 6:28pm

onyerbikepat wrote: »

Last weeks Farmers Journal, I think, reviewed all the calving gates with prices, on the Irish Market. I have to say I thought the one from Performance Steel looked the best, price and all considered.

http://www.persteel.com/Calving%20Gate.html

its a dangerous operation getting a cow into that headlock. if she turned and ran at the gate you could be in trouble. would you need a kicking bar for trying to latch on a calf or milk machine? even dairy cows that would be handled more wouldn't like being turned into a headgate like that imo

onyerbikepat · 28-01-2015 8:17pm

This is the one I was thinking of, with two uprights set in the concrete. You could funnel the cows into this with another gate and so not have to go into the cow.

Sorry, can't make picture smaller.

grazeaway · 28-01-2015 8:27pm

onyerbikepat wrote: »

This is teh one I was thinking of, with two uprights set in the concrete. You could funnel the cows into this with another gate and so not have to go into the cow.

I have a set up a bit like this. I looked at a couple of the calving gates but was never convinced by them my big worry was always about how to let them out if they go down, most of the recent models have taken this into account but I decided to make my own.

I bolted an old crush gate to the shed pillar by the pen and put another H iron in the pen to hold the other side and hang a gate off it. The gate can used to corral the cow into the crush gate but also divides the pen in 2 and there is enough room to move cows and calves from side side.

onyerbikepat · 28-01-2015 8:40pm

I often calve cows for my neighbours. Like myself none of them have calving gates. I rope head halter does the job just aswell when you're stuck. Cow can go down no problem, just leave enough slack on the rope and if you have a gate at her side she can't swing around.

Count Mondego · 28-01-2015 9:41pm

Anyone have the O'Donnell calving gate? Like the design as you can use the full gate to corral the cow in to the crush section, most others only have an inner carcass, much smaller, to turn then in.

Count Mondego · 28-01-2015 9:45pm

onyerbikepat wrote: »

I often calve cows for my neighbours. Like myself none of them have calving gates. I rope head halter does the job just aswell when you're stuck. Cow can go down no problem, just leave enough slack on the rope and if you have a gate at her side she can't swing around.

I'd see myself using it more to get a calf to suck more often than calving a cow. A pain in the hole putting a cow in the crush and the hail stones hoppin off ya.

yellow50HX · 29-01-2015 6:13pm

Count Mondego wrote: »

I'd see myself using it more to get a calf to suck more often than calving a cow. A pain in the hole putting a cow in the crush and the hail stones hoppin off ya.

I have a lockable feed barrier that is ideal for this espically as I do a bit of double suckling.

They are not ideal for calving cows

tripperman · 10-02-2015 3:58pm

im looking at putting in a calving gate in an exisiting shed in the next few weeks, the shed is an odd width, does anyone have any experience or advise on a telescopic calving gate and calving gates in general, i read the article in the farmers journal, i would have a few wicked dairy cows when calving, so i would factor that in for safety also, thanks in advance

kowtow · 10-02-2015 5:09pm

One thing I have found with calving pens is that if there is a wall, or particularly a corner between two walls, any cow which requires a jack will dance around until the calf is half way out and then lay down against it.

She will have measured the shortest setting of the calving jack in advance and will make sure the distance from her arse to the obstacle is exactly 7 inches less.

If she can't find a wall to back up to, she will identify the side of the pen most exposed to the weather (or to the bull in the neighbouring pen) and stick her back end out towards that.

For me it's not so much the calving gate as where it hangs. I like the two posts in the middle with a gate each side (one a calving gate) approach best. Also handy if they are telescopic, surprisingly difficult to get calf or mother around the end of the gates in the day or two after calving if they have to stay in / together for any reason (or if you need to bring another in to share the facilities with her)

Calving gate dimensions

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