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| I used to help process cattle with 4+ people, we had probably a 50-60 ft. alley leading to the chute at the one place. With help, I liked that length of alleyway. Without help, you probably wouldn't be able to make it flow well. I was the "pusher" at the back of the line with a shield, knees always bent and trying to be in a position to back off, so I wouldn't get a hyper-extension knee injury like my Dad did with hogs. I would recommend looking at Temple Grandins designs. On first glance you think "Why on Earth would I need that?". But after studying it, it makes sense. Some systems flow like butter, other systems they balk at everything. Like Temple, put yourself at their level, think like a cow, and look at things like they do. Contrasts, chains, things hanging, etc. make a difference. Forget your prefrontal cortex, look at it with your lizard brain. The cattle/livestock will tell you what should change by where they look, if they're relaxed. Not related to what you're asking at all, but I think should be talked about, is even things like driving aids. Going from a rattle paddle/stick to 2 dumpster lids wired together to make a pivoting sort board, completely changed the way I moved hogs. Solid sides + the pivot, and you can work magic with hogs. Wish I was taught that as a kid. :) Sticks seem to work perfectly fine with cattle, though. | |
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alley length
