Simple Headgate and Chute Set-Up for Hobby Farm

Busy day on the farm, we finally were able to start soybean harvest this past week. And, all our neighbors are out in the fields, too. The weather finally has been sunny for a few days and things are getting dryer. With the sunshine, I can finally take videos in the barn as it isn't so dark that you can't see. That is what prompted me to take this video as kind of an update of where we are at with our small Angus herd.

One thing I forgot to mention in the video is that we set up fence panels on the other side of the headgate so when we open it up again, the cattle can step through and out the door you probably saw on the far wall. This door leads them back out to the cattle yard. So, you can see we have a continuous loop. As we run the cattle through, the fewer remain in the barn so it isn't as cramped in there as when we started.

Still, you have to watch out for any of them that wish to kick you or bowl you over. It can get to be a little crazy at times trying to coax them through the process. What always amazes me is that when we are finished, the cattle do come back to the barn willingly on their own to bed down for the night. Maybe the fresh straw we put out is too enticing for them to resist.

If you have any questions, let me know. I just thought I would share being we have used this process in the past with our Jerseys and have had pretty good success with it. Hope you can put this into practice on your farm with good results.

Take Care!