Every one I have asked says it's no bother at all. Frankly I dont believe them. I know I'd be sweating sending a row of fresh calved heifers up a 20 unit parlour of clean concrete and shiny metal.Often wonder how the lads starting off with a herd of heifers get on. At least when they are in with cows you can push them up
When i started with all heifers three years ago i only let 7 in at one side for first 8 weeks and when they quieten down, i filled that side and then after another month started using both sides of parlour. Was more issues with machine at start than with the animals.Every one I have asked says it's no bother at all. Frankly I dont believe them. I know I'd be sweating sending a row of fresh calved heifers up a 20 unit parlour of clean concrete and shiny metal.
They'd just step over it. It's the truly wicked animal that needs intervention like that and that is just something to get your arm caught between her leg.View attachment 85965
Excuse the epic WhatsApp art but you get the idea.
Yellow being the guard
Blue cow
Red unit
had a similar problem years ago with a bunch of heifers of a stock bull.temperment strain skipped a generation or so and came out in the heifers.the bull himself was a very docile easy going sort of animal.Never found kickbars much good and tail cramps waste of time. Lifting the tail still the only thing that works every time and dosent drive em mad or hurt them. I know! 4 hands required...anyone know of any gadget to keep tail lifted?
Ignorance is bliss. We started with a full herd of heifers in 2020 and it was only when we seen how easy cows were to deal with in 2021 that we realised the hardship we endured the previous year.Often wonder how the lads starting off with a herd of heifers get on. At least when they are in with cows you can push them up
Jaysus, I'll be milking a herd of heifers in 2023 and I'm dreading it alreadyšIgnorance is bliss. We started with a full herd of heifers in 2020 and it was only when we seen how easy cows were to deal with in 2021 that we realised the hardship we endured the previous year.
Tail clamp high up works far better than a kickbar,you can wean them off a clamp easier,never needed to lift a cows tail in years.Never found kickbars much good and tail cramps waste of time. Lifting the tail still the only thing that works every time and dosent drive em mad or hurt them. I know! 4 hands required...anyone know of any gadget to keep tail lifted?
@diesel power brother swears by the vice grips with the long C Type jaws , looks like you could open an oil filter with it .Only ever used battery type jump lead clamps which never worked for me. Are there specialised tail clamps on t
he market?