Facilities and Cattle Handling

Stephen Boyles
OSUE Beef Specialist
Jeff Fisher
OSUE Agriculture and Natural Resources, Pike County
Gary Fike
OSUE Associate, Youth Livestock Quality Assurance
Alfredo DiCostanzo
University of Minnesota Beef Specialist
Cliff Lamb
University of Minnesota Beef Specialist

Lesson 5

Introduction
Important considerations in making backgrounding operations profitable are
availability and proper utilization of facilities and working corrals and alleyways.
Often times, facilities are not given proper attention when deciding to background
cattle. This results in poor gains and feed efficiency in spite of careful
preparation of diets, health and marketing plans. Thus, a producer who is
already backgrounding cattle, or wishes to consider it, ought to spend some time
evaluating facilities and working corrals to ensure that cattle will make fast and
efficient gains, and cattle and people will operate in a safe environment. This
lesson will focus on key, fundamental aspects of cattle facilities and handling.
Special focus will be given to housing needs and design, water needs, and cattle
handling and working facilities.

Housing Needs and Design

Although layout and materials vary considerably from one operation to the next,
most facilities can be grouped into one of three designs: 1) open lot with shelter
belt, 2) open lot with shed, and, rarely in backgrounding operations, 3)
confinement lot with solid floor. The degree of sophistication and investment
certainly increases from the design for the open lot with shelter belt to the
confinement lot. This does not mean that cattle inherently perform better as the
extent of confinement increases. Earlier work conducted at the University of
Minnesota in the mid 1970s demonstrated that cattle performance during the
summer is actually better in open lots with windbreaks while cattle performance
during the winter is better in total confinement lots. Descriptions and layouts of
each facility are provided in the following paragraphs:

1
Stocker Backgrounder Nutrition and Management Lesson 5
Open lot with shelter belt. This design is the most open, and least confining
of the three (Figure 1). It can even be adapted on a corner of a pasture or small
pasture. However, features of importance are the presence of a shelter belt,
orientation of the feed bunk so that it is protected by the shelter belt (typically
facing north), and slope that drains away from eating and sleeping areas. The
shelter belt may be formed by existing tree lines or windbreaks that should be at
least 8’ tall, or large round bales stacked on end. The shelterbelt should be at
least 50’ away from the lot on all sides. Surface area required by each animal
varies depending on the surface type (partial concrete, gravel, dirt) and draining
capabilities of the lot. The poorer the drainage on dirt surfaces, the greater the
required area per animal (up to 500 square feet). In some cases, dirt mounds
may be built to keep cattle clean and dry. A concrete pad behind the bunk is
recommended even in open lots on dirt surfaces. This pad can be 6” thick and at
least 12’ wide. If the surface of the open lot is well drained (4% to 6% slope) and
care is taken to provide hard surfacing materials on the higher areas of the lot
(gravel, fly ash, clay), the lot can be stocked at the rate of 100 to 200 square feet
per animal. Draining diversions should be dug within the fence line dividing lots
to permit rain and runoff to drain away from the top side of the lot while
maintaining the center of the lot dry. Lot surfaces and draining diversions must
be maintained yearly. Concrete pad behind the bunk must be scraped at least
once weekly during winter. The sleeping area, typically behind the bunk, must be
bedded as needed. Bedding needs are increased by cold weather or
precipitation, but bedding rates for corn stalks in a surfaced lot (concrete) with a
high-density stocking rate were .3 lb/head/day in the summer (50 square
feet/animal) and .7 lb/head/day in the winter (60 square feet/animal). Manure
pack can be permitted to accumulate during the feeding period.

2
Stocker Backgrounder Nutrition and Management Lesson 5
 N
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Feed
Bunk

xxxx Bedding

Figure 1. Open lot with shelter belt. Shelter belt should be at least 50’ from lot. Windbreaks
and mounds may also be built within the lot as needed. Lot should slope away from bunk at 4%
to 6%. Drainage diversions should run away from the bunk, from N to S in this drawing.

Open lot with shed. This design affords a combination of open lot with a
protected area for cattle to come in from the wind and precipitation (Figure 2). A
shelter belt to protect the building may add wind protection to cattle and
structures. Because bunk and sleeping area are protected in this design,
stocking rates may be reduced to 70 to 100 square feet depending on surface.
Concrete pads behind bunks within the shed will reduce problems with dirty or
wet cattle. Requirements to build this pad are similar to those described before:
6” thick and 12’-15’ wide. The surface behind this pad should be sloped away
from it at 4% to 6% slope. Bed is either allowed to accumulate for the duration of
the feeding program, or removed once a month. Areas behind the feed bunks,
and between the bunk and waterers should be scraped at least once weekly.
Drainage diversions may be needed as the lot extends away from the shed. A
challenge of a shed that extends only so far into the lot is the need to establish
an effective way to handle roof runoff, especially during snow melt off. Thus, an
effective gutter system must be established that can handle melting snow or
precipitation, and takes away the run-off from lot and/or fences.

3
Stocker Backgrounder Nutrition and Management Lesson 5
 N
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Feed Building
Bunk

xxxx Bedding

Figure 2. Open lot with shed. Lot should slope away from bunk at 4% to 6%. Drainage
diversions should run away from the bunk, from N to S in this drawing. High-capacity gutters
should be installed on eaves of the building, and drain run-off water away from outdoor lot and
fences.

Confinement lot with solid floor. Confinement lots are perhaps used more
in cattle finishing operations because of the initial cost and maintenance costs.
This facility is comprised of a building that encompasses the whole lot, with walls
protecting at least from the prevailing wind sides, and a driving alley in front of
the bunk. A shelter belt to protect the building may add wind protection to cattle
and structures. In spite of the fact that this building protects cattle, and
provisions are made during building to promote drainage, confinement barns are
typically built to protect cattle from prevailing winds. Concrete surfaces are
typical for these lots, and are 6” thick. Lots are stocked at the rate of 35 to 50
square feet/animal. Producers will typically bed cattle in these facilities to
provide comfort and warmth. Thus, the bedding area is approximately 30’ to 60’
behind the bunk. Bed is either allowed to accumulate for the duration of the
feeding program, or removed once a month. Areas behind the feed bunks and
between the bunk and waterers are scraped at least once weekly.

4
Stocker Backgrounder Nutrition and Management Lesson 5
 N
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Feed Building
Bunk

xxxx Bedding

Figure 3. Confinement lot with solid floor. Cattle are under a building that is protected to the N,
but may or may not have side walls. In spite of being indoors, it is recommended that cattle be
bedded to keep clean and dry.

Feed bunks and waterers

Feed bunk capacity is important when designing backgrounding facilities. A

simple standard to use, especially when feeding high-forage diets, is to allow 1
linear foot per head. In situations where higher concentrate diets or multiple
feedings are given daily, this allowance may drop to 9” per animal. Feed bunk
design and placement in the pen is depicted in Figure 4. Setting the feed bunk
on a step that extends 12” away from the back side of the bunk and it stands 6”
to 8” higher than the surface of the pen will prevent soiled feed in the bunk. Bunk
design is important, but it does not mean that producers cannot pour their own
bunks, or use alternative materials. The bottom line is that the design of the
inside of the bunk should permit feed to be reached, and not to accumulate in
corners or crevices. Additionally, the walls and thickness of the bunk should
permit cattle to reach feed without needing to adjust their heads or mouths in
unnatural positions (Figure 4). On the farm, away from construction centers,
other materials such as discarded mine conveyor belts or wooden structures lend

5
Stocker Backgrounder Nutrition and Management Lesson 5
themselves well as feed bunks. However, constant care and evaluation of the
structural soundness of these are required to avoid feed waste or reduced intake.

Neck rail

18”

Bunk 18”
16”
12”

Step 6”

Pad
Figure 4: Recommended dimensions for feed bunk.

Water troughs and water needs are other important considerations when
planning a backgrounding lot. Water troughs should permit at least 10% of the
cattle population in the pen to drink at one time. That is that for every 100 head
of cattle there should be at least 10’ of drinking space, or (1.2” water
trough/animal). This is particularly true if cattle will be fed during warm weather.
Water troughs should be set 6” from the ground using a concrete step that
extends 12” away from the walls of the trough, similar to that recommended for
use under feed bunks (Figure 4). Water flow and pressure must be taken into
account to replenish waterer volume, especially during warm weather. A table
(Table 1) describing water needs of growing cattle is provided for producers to
determine water needs. However, water needs does not address water quality.
Many areas of the country face conditions of poor water quality resulting from too
many dissolved solids or high sulfur content. Efforts should be made to measure
sulfur content and dissolved solids so that cattle are presented with no water
quality issues that tend to reduce performance.

6
Stocker Backgrounder Nutrition and Management Lesson 5
Table 1. Water requirements (gal/head/day) for growing and finishing cattle.
Month Avg. Growing cattle Finishing cattle
Max.
Temp. 400 lb 600 lb 800 lb 600 lb 800 lb 1000 lb 1200 lb
°F Gal Gal Gal Gal Gal Gal Gal
January 36 3.5 5 6 5.5 7 8.5 9.5
February 40 4 5.5 6.5 6 7.5 9 10
March 50 4.5 6 7 6.5 8 9.5 10.5
April 64 5.5 7 8.5 8 9.5 11 12.5
May 73 6 8 9.5 9 11 13 14.5
June 78 6.5 8.5 10 9.5 12 14 16
July 90 9.5 13 15 14.5 17.5 20.5 23
August 88 9 12 14 14 17 20 22.5
September 78 6.5 8.5 10 9.5 12 14 16
October 68 5.5 7.5 9 8.5 10 12 14
November 52 4.5 6 7 6.5 8 10 10.5
December 38 4 5 6 6 7 8.5 9.5
NebGuide G77-372-A

Regardless of the facility design and layout, another topic of extreme importance,
which deserves attention beyond the scope of this paper, is manure
management plans for various facilities and design layouts.
Also, because rules vary from county to county, and state to state, the reader is
referred to their local resources to adapt manure management plans to their
facilities. For Minnesota producers, a software program (Nutrient Management
Planner for Minnesota Ver 2.1) exists to assist in developing field specific crop nutrient
management plans for crop and livestock farms, and a wealth of other
information can be found at www.extension.umn.edu/beef for further planning.
Also, producers are encouraged to contact their local extension service to
receive assistance in developing and implementing manure management plans.

Cattle Handling
You've heard of horse sense. Well, to get cattle to do what you want takes
knowledge of animal behavior, access to good facilities, and proper handling
techniques. All of this together adds up to cow sense! Animal-related injuries to
employees can be due to preoccupation, impatience, or anger by the animal or
the handler! During these moments, a livestock handler really needs to
understand animal behavior. Well-designed facilities won't make up for a lack of
cow sense at this point.

Not understanding how cattle perceive their world can make for a long day for
you — and your cattle. For example, a styrofoam cup that has fallen into the
working alley can make cattle balk. A shadow or a flapping shirt on a post or

7
Stocker Backgrounder Nutrition and Management Lesson 5
some other distraction can prevent smooth cattle flow. If you are having trouble
working a set of cattle, try looking at the world from their perspective.

How cattle perceive their world. Cattle really see the world differently. A
cow may see more than you see and is often distracted by motion off to the side.
However, she doesn't see the world as clear and sharply focused as humans see
it, and it takes her more time to process what she has seen. Cattle have
panoramic vision in excess of 300 degrees and only have a blind spot directly in
the back of their heads (Figure 5). Human vision, by comparison, is roughly 180
degrees, and we have a much larger blind spot.

Figure 5. Cattle can see 300 degrees around them, with a blind spot only directly in the back of
their heads.

While their field of vision is practically unlimited, cattle have poor depth
perception of nearby objects and have limited vertical vision. Cattle must lower
their heads to focus on something on the ground because they only have about
60 degrees of vertical vision, compared to 140 degrees for humans. Due to their
limitation in vertical vision and their lack of ability to focus quickly, a shadow on
the ground appears to them to be a three-mile deep crevasse!
Handlers can help reduce distractions and shadowing by taking these limitations
into consideration and using a solid-sided working alley. Also, uniformity in color
of handling facilities will reduce balking. Curved, solidly enclosed, and well-
lighted working facilities take advantage of these senses, along with the animal's
strong desire to find an avenue of escape when confined.

Cattle also hear differently than humans. They can hear both lower volume and
higher frequency sounds better than people. It may be the sound of your truck,
with feed in it, more than the sight of the truck that makes those cows "come a
runnin'." Cattle hear extremely well, but the trade-off is that they have less ability
to locate the source of a sound. People can pinpoint where a sound came from
within 5 degrees, whereas cattle can only isolate the source down to about 30
degrees. Be mindful of cattle with severe sight problems, such as an advanced
case of cancer eye, as they will rely to a greater extent on their sense of hearing.
Thus, they may suddenly swing around to investigate a noise.

Comfort/flight zone affects reactions. People and cattle have a

comfort/flight zone that affects how we react. In many Western cultures, two feet

8
Stocker Backgrounder Nutrition and Management Lesson 5
is considered the comfort zone for conversing with another person. In some other
Eastern regions of the world, six inches is considered normal. At parties, you
might observe Western speakers backing up to seek their comfort zone and
Eastern speakers following them to maintain their comfort zone. Also, consider
that we typically turn and face someone who is talking to us. Just as we have
some predictable behaviors, so do cattle. Understanding this behavior can be
very useful in designing cattle-handling facilities.

The flight zone (comfort zone) is the animal's personal space. The flight zone
may be five to 25 feet for tame cattle or feedlot cattle and 300’ for some wild
cattle. The flight zone increases when the approach is from the head, and the
flight zone also increases when cattle are excited. The flight zone decreases
when animals are in a single file chute.

Cattle will normally move effectively if the handler works on the edge of the flight
zone. Deep invasion of the flight zone can cause animals to panic. In Figure 6,
Position A is the location outside of the flight zone where animals will stop
moving forward, and Position B, inside the flight zone, will cause the animal to
move away from the handler.

Figure 6. The handler can control the movement of cattle by taking a position in relation to the
animal's flight zone. If the handler takes up a position at Point A, which is outside the flight zone,
the cattle will stop moving forward. If the handler moves to Point B, which is inside the animal's
flight zone, the animal will move away from the handler.

Livestock handlers need to understand the flight zone and the point of balance.
The point of balance for cattle is typically at the shoulder. To make an animal
move forward, the handler should stand behind the point of balance. To move the
animal backward, the handler stands in front of the point of balance. The animal

9
Stocker Backgrounder Nutrition and Management Lesson 5
may try to turn if the handler enters the animal's blind spot. Therefore, don't walk
directly behind an animal, but off to the side so you can be seen.

Careful, quiet handling of cattle will help improve productivity. Stress imposed by
handling and transport can have detrimental effects on weight gain, rumen
function, reproductive function, and the immune system. Quiet handling reduces
stress-related meat-quality problems such as dark cutters. The amount of stress
imposed on an animal is an interaction involving previous experience and
genetics. How quiet your cattle are is at least partially a function of how they are
worked. Cattle can remember rough handling. While most cattle will calm down
when they are handled quietly, a small percentage of them may remain excited.
If an animal becomes very excited, 20 to 30 minutes are required for its heart
rate to return to normal. For this reason, many packers have "standing" pens to
allow cattle to calm down prior to harvest. Many practitioners of artificial
insemination also try to sort cattle and let them relax prior to breeding.

Steps such as reduced yelling and minimized electric prod usage should
therefore be considered. If a tool is needed, a stick with a plastic bag on the end
or wands that rattle may be useful. Solid sides on chutes and crowd pens can
help keep animals calmer. Solid sides typically provide the most advantage when
wild cattle are worked and have generally less effect on tame animals. Livestock
react differently to various situations of sound and sight.

Working with defensive animals takes additional time and care. Horses usually
kick directly toward the rear. Where as cattle are "round-house" punchers,
kicking forward and out to the side. Cows also have a tendency to kick toward
the side of their pain. So, if a cow is suffering from mastitis in one quarter,
consider approaching her from the opposite side of the affliction. Calves can kick
directly backwards and can have a quick "round-house" punch as well.

Figure 7. Cattle exhibit a "round-house" punch and kick forward and out to the side.

Cattle exhibiting maternal instincts are usually more defensive and difficult to
handle. Removal from a familiar pasture or pen can cause animals to react
unexpectedly. Shadows, yelling, and contrasts in lighting can further excite
animals and make their behavior unpredictable. Similar problems occur when
animals are moved away from feed, separated from the herd, or approached by

10
Stocker Backgrounder Nutrition and Management Lesson 5
an unfamiliar person. It is usually easier to take two or three additional animals
when you want to work only one of them.

Never prod an animal when it has no place to go. Cattle that become upset
during handling and/or that have a bad disposition may adopt a "fight" rather than
"flight" behavior. When entering an enclosed area with cattle, you should
consider your escape routes — a fence, a tree, or a post.

Diseases
Handlers should also be concerned with disease transmission. Illnesses that can
be transmitted back and forth between humans and animals include
leptospirosis, rabies, brucellosis, salmonellosis, and ringworm. A livestock
producer can contract some illnesses through animal bites, handling an infected
animal, or disposing of infected tissues. To reduce exposure to disease, use
basic hygiene and sanitation practices, such as washing your hands after
working with any animals.

To Reduce Exposure to a Livestock Accident or Illness

• Understand animal behavior.
• Provide proper and safe facilities.
• Protect against diseases by using good sanitation practices.
• Wear appropriate attire.

Working Facilities
Curved Working Chutes
A curved working alley takes advantage of an animal's natural behavior to turn
away from potential danger or unpleasant sites or sounds. Curved working
facilities prevent the animal from seeing the squeeze chute or truck until they are
almost upon it. A facility with solid sides is likely to require a catwalk.

Cattle like to follow each other. Each animal should be able to see the one ahead
of it. Blocking gates in a chute need to be see-through gates, so cattle can see
the animal ahead. If the animal views a dead-end, it will balk. Make single-file
chutes at least 20 feet long.

Uniform lighting can help avoid shadows. Cattle in the dark will move toward the
light. If you are loading at night, use a frosted light in the truck or shine your
flashlight into the truck. Avoid glare in their faces. Livestock tend to balk if they
are forced to look into the sun. Position loading and squeeze chutes north and
south for summer handling.

11
Stocker Backgrounder Nutrition and Management Lesson 5
A white Styrofoam cup in the bottom of the working chute will cause the entire
herd to balk. Cattle also balk at moving or flapping objects. Therefore, do not
place your jacket on a strategic fence post in the working area. Use solid sides
for the construction of crowding pens, single-file chutes, and loading chutes.
Stand back from the head gate so that the cattle cannot see you or at least think
they can escape past you.

Bruises
Bruises cost the cattle industry millions of dollars each year. A large loin bruise is
a significant economic loss per animal. Bruised meat has to be trimmed off and
cannot be used for human consumption. When cattle become excited, they are
more likely to bump into gates, truck doors, and each other. Moving cattle at a
slow walk will reduce bruises. Overloading trucks will greatly increase bruising.
Although over crowding can increase bruising, having too few cattle can also
increase bruising. Truck-loading densities are provided in Table 2.

Table 2. Recommended truck-loading densities.

Fed steers or cows, average Horned, tipped or more than
Polled or dehorned
weight 10% horned or tipped
lb square feet square feet
800 10.9 10.4
1,000 12.8 12.0
1,200 15.3 14.5
1,400 19.0 18.0
From Grandin, T. Reducing Bruising in Cattle. BCH-4410.

Bumping into a flat, wide surface is less likely to cause bruises compared to
bumping into an elevated or sharp edge. Broken boards, protruding gate latches,
and slick surfaces that allow falling will increase bruising. Consider re-grooving
concrete when it becomes too smooth. If you are getting reports of bruising, walk
through your handling facility and look for the following situations:

Loin Bruises
Narrow gates, horns
Gates hitting the side of the animal
Protruding gate latches, boards, and sharp edges

Shoulder Bruises
Rough handling
Presence of horns
Broken flipper gates in runways
Protruding gate latches, boards, and sharp edges

12
Stocker Backgrounder Nutrition and Management Lesson 5
Back Bruises
Improperly adjusted one-way gates
Vertical gates hitting the back (should be padded)
Tall cattle hitting their backs when exiting the bottom compartment of a semi-
trailer

Many of these bruises can be prevented by repairing equipment and working

cattle at their pace and not ours.

Basic Corral Design

Working facilities are needed to carry out basic management practices. Some
small producers feel that working facilities are too expensive, but without proper
facilities, basic management practices are not done. Not doing basic
management practices such as dehorning and castration can lead to economic
losses as a result of discounts on your calves. Handling facilities also increase
the safety for humans when working animals.

Figure 8. A basic working facility design is depicted with loading chute, and holding pens.

Planning
The goal is to develop a design that accommodates your cattle working needs
while making safe and efficient use of available labor and reducing stress and
bruising of animals.

Site selection
Accessibility by people, trucks, and trailers is paramount for a working corral.
This accessibility must be convenient even in adverse weather. Normally, the
easiest place to pen cattle is along the fence, especially in a corner of a pasture.
Ideally, this location would be where several pastures converge. The pasture
fence in proximity to the corral may get additional pressure from cattle pushing

13
Stocker Backgrounder Nutrition and Management Lesson 5
on it. Therefore, larger posts and additional bracing may be needed in this part of
the pasture fence.

Look for high, well-drained sites. Avoid locations with slopes of greater than 10
degrees (about two inches per foot). Build facilities near electricity and water, if
possible. However, avoid building adjacent to residences where dust, flies, noise,
and odor might be grounds for a nuisance suit. An inexpensive working facility
can be built in the corner of an existing barn or lot. Some basic dimensions for
building working facilities are provided in Table 3.

Table 3. Corral and working facility dimensions

>1,200 and
Up to 600 lb 600-1,200 lb Cow-calf
Pen space, square feet/head 14 17 20
Crowding tub, square feet/head 6 10 12
Working chute-vertical sides
Width, inches 18 20-24 26-30
Minimum length, feet 20 20 20
Working chute-sloping sides
Width at bottom, inches 13 15 16
Width at top, inches 20 24 28
Minimum length, feet 20 20 20
Working chute fence
Height—minimum 45 50 60
Depth of posts—minimum 30 30 30
Corral fence
Height 60 60 60
Depth of posts—minimum 30 30 30
Corral fence
Width, inches 26 26 26-30
Length minimum, feet 12 12 12
Rise, inches/feet 3½ 3½ 3½
Dimensions from Corral and Working Facilities for Beef Cattle. GPE-5002.

Basic Sections in a Well-Designed Working Facility

Regardless of size or type of operation, there are six basic sections in a well-
designed working facility.
1. Holding pens
2. Alley from pens to working area
3. Crowding pen/tub
4. Working alley
5. Restraining area/squeeze chute
6. Loading area

14
Stocker Backgrounder Nutrition and Management Lesson 5
Holding Pens. Keys to good holding-pen design are having enough pens to
meet your needs, having them of sufficient size so animals cannot get past you,
and having an easy animal flow to and from the working area. More than one pen
will probably be needed so that you can sort cattle into groups. One of the most
common flaws in existing corrals is having a holding pen that is too large. Cattle
can easily get past you when you are trying to move them out. One of the easier
"refits" to an existing corral is splitting this large pen into two pens. This helps to
address the other most common design flaw of existing corrals — not having
enough pens for sorting.

Common design flaws of existing corrals are:

1. Pens too large
2. Inadequate number of pens for sorting
3. Poor placement of gates
4. Not enough gates
5. Confusing animal flow to and from the working facility

Smaller pens may be needed as hospital pens and to quarantine newly arrived
animals. Provide a source of water and shade in one of the holding pens as a
sick or quarantine area. You may want to take into account in what order you
want to work cattle groups and thus this may affect pen placement. Keep in mind
the fact that current pen placement affects possible corral expansion in the
future.

Allow 18 square feet for each calf. The area of a square or rectangular pen is
equal to the length times the width. For example, a pen with an area measuring
30 feet by 40 feet equals 1,200 square feet. This will accommodate about 67
calves.

Alley from Pens to Working Area. Typically, cattle are moved to the working
area through an alley. This can be a common alley for cattle going to or returning
from the working area. In larger operations, a second alley allows a continuous
flow of cattle from the holding pens to the working area and back to their pens.
Evaluate your corral design and determine if animal flow to and from the working
facility is simple or confusing.

Holding-pen gates should be equal to or greater in length than the width of the
alley. Alleys should be 10 to 12 feet in width. Wide alleys can be like large pens
and allow cattle to escape past you. Narrow alleys, less than 10 feet, may force
animals to come through you, rather than go around you, if their desire to escape
is great.

15
Stocker Backgrounder Nutrition and Management Lesson 5
Notice in the examples here how the gates become a part of the fence and
effectively direct flow of the animals to and from the working area. Cattle typically
travel to corners. Therefore, gates should be located in corners rather than the
middle part of a fence line.

With alley on the side

With two alleys

With a central alley

Figure 9. Examples of Holding Pen and Alley Designs

Crowding Pen or Crowding Tub. Use a crowding pen to funnel cattle into the
working alley and chute. Handle small groups in crowding pens, eight to 10,
instead of 20. For construction with straight fences, build one side of the
crowding pen straight. The other side should be at an angle of about 30 degrees.
Make the large end of the funnel 8 to 12 feet wide. Although it is harder to build,
a circular crowding area with solid sides works best. Pre-built crowding pens can
be purchased from cattle-handling equipment vendors.

16
Stocker Backgrounder Nutrition and Management Lesson 5
Figure 10. Straight-Sided Crowding Pen

Circular Crowding Tub

While there may be several gates in a corral that can benefit from being solid-
sided, a gate in the crowding tub will benefit the most. A solid-sided gate will
encourage animals to seek an alternative escape route — the working alley —
rather than trying to turn around.

17
Stocker Backgrounder Nutrition and Management Lesson 5
Figure 11. Example of a Solid-Sided Sweep Gate

Rough concrete surfaces throughout a corral are ideal but may not be
economically feasible. However, consider using concrete in the crowding tub,
working alley, and restraining area.

Working Alley/Chute. Build working alleys at least 20 feet long. Shorter alleys
cause delays in getting cattle to the working area. If you normally work cattle by
yourself, an alley should be able to hold at least three animals for efficient labor
utilization. Longer chutes can certainly be used. You may find spring loaded,
back-stop gates useful to prevent cattle from backing up.

The width depends on the size of the animal. Build alleys 22 to 26” wide for
small- to medium-frame cows. Eighteen inches is wide enough for calves.

18
Stocker Backgrounder Nutrition and Management Lesson 5
Commercial working alleys may be adjustable. One idea to consider for
constricting the width of a "non-adjustable" alley is to hang a couple of plastic
pipes in the alley when working calves.

Although they are harder to build, alleys with solid, sloping sides are better than
those with vertical sides. A general recommendation is to build a five-foot-high
alley 26” wide at the top and 16” wide at the bottom. Widths may need to be
increased 2 to 4” for some large, exotic breeds.

Solid-sided working alleys can be built with wood or pipe frames covered with
sheet metal or exterior plywood. Due to cost and ease of construction, straight
alleys can be a reasonable choice for small herds. Emergency release panels or
fences on hinges, could be considered if you are concerned about cattle going
down or falling backward. Pre-constructed, metal working alleys/chutes can be
purchased from handling equipment vendors. These can also offer the option of
being somewhat mobile.

Posts in the working alley receive a lot of pressure from the cattle. Use overhead
crossbars to keep the posts in place and prevent them from bowing out. Further
construction of overhead restrainers running parallel over the working alley will
discourage rearing up or falling over backward in the working alley. Evaluate the
height of the tallest animal you will work through a facility if your corral is to have
overhead crossbars and restrainers.

Cattle will move forward more easily in an alley with solid sides. Solid, curved
chutes keep cattle from seeing the working area until they are a few feet away.
Avoid sharp bends that look like a dead end to cattle.

Cattle tend to move uphill easier than downhill. If there is much slope, point the
alley uphill. Cattle also tend to move best from dark areas to light areas. Facility
layouts should be designed so that cattle do not look directly into the sun.

19
Stocker Backgrounder Nutrition and Management Lesson 5
Figure 12. Examples of curved working alleys

Restraining Area/Squeeze Chute or Headgate. The simplest way to create

a working area is to securely fasten a head gate to the end of the working chute.
Insert pipes or posts behind animals to prevent backing. A squeeze chute is
more expensive than a headgate but gives you more control over the animal.
Many vendors sell head gates, squeeze chutes, and fence panels. While plans
are available, it is difficult to build a head gate or chute that works as well as
those that are commercially available. Some new designs allow easier access to
the neck region. All injections should be in the neck region.

To save climbing over the fence, build an entrance gate behind the squeeze
chute or at the rear of the animal. The gate should swing into the chute to block
the next animal and create a cage to protect the person working the cattle.
Ideally, utilize a separate chute or breeding box for artificial insemination; this
reduces the stress of the cow from her previous experiences in the working chute
and headgate.

The working chute is a common location for the use of electrical equipment. To
avoid exposure to electric shocks:

20
Stocker Backgrounder Nutrition and Management Lesson 5
 • Use a ground fault circuit interrupter with water heaters, clippers, and other
equipment.
• Use moisture-proof electrical outlets in wet or damp areas.
Portable battery systems can be used as well. Boat batteries may have the most
storage capacity.

Loading Chute. Cattle can be loaded on stock trailers from the working chute.
If pick-ups are used, a loading chute is required. Make sure the height of the
chute fits your truck and that you can back the truck squarely against the chute. If
you use more than one type of truck, build an adjustable loading chute. Do not
exceed 3½ inches of rise per foot of length.

A flooring of packed earth or gravel provides the best footing but is not
adjustable. On wooden floored chutes, use cleats that are 1” to 2” high. Space
cleats 6” to 8” apart from edge to edge. Build loading chutes 30” wide for cow-calf
operations.

Figure 13. Some examples of loading chutes for livestock trailers

21
Stocker Backgrounder Nutrition and Management Lesson 5
Materials
A layer of gravel in crowding and working chutes can prevent mud from
becoming a problem. Concrete in heavy traffic areas is a good idea but only if it
has a rough surface. Grooves one-inch deep and in an eight-inch diamond
pattern improve footing.

Use pipe or wooden gates that will not easily bend or break. Hang gates 6” to 8”
from the ground so they swing freely. Use latches that can be operated from
either side. Plywood on some sorting and crowding tub gates can help prevent
turning.

Build fence five-feet high for most cattle. Fences for holding pens do not have to
be as strong as those in working areas. Wire panels are available from most farm
supply centers. Install two-inch by six-inch rails on the inside at the top of the
posts, bottom and middle. This type of fence is not strong enough for the
crowding area and working chutes.

Designs
The following are some simplified designs for smaller cow herds and
backgrounding lots.

Example 1

22
Stocker Backgrounder Nutrition and Management Lesson 5
Example 2

23
Stocker Backgrounder Nutrition and Management Lesson 5
 Appendix
Lot and working facility designs
Canada Plan Service. Beef Facilities and Design.
http://www.cps.gov.on.ca/english/bc1000/beef.htm
Midwest Plan Service (1-800-562-3618 or http://www.mwpshq.org/).
Dr. Temple Grandin materials on corral design and animal behavior at http://www.grandin.com/.

Commercially available designs and facilities

Elk River Cattle Handling Equipment at http://www.applegatesteel.com/Elk%20River.htm

For-Most Livestock Equipment at http://www.for-most.com/

Hi-Qual USA at http://www.hi-qual.com/index.html

Luco, Inc. at http://www.lucoinc.com/

Pearson Livestock Equipment at http://www.pearsonlivestockeq.com/

Powder River at http://www.powderriver.com/index.cfm

Priefert Ranch Equipment at http://www.priefert.com/priefert/

Additional Reading
Beef cattle housing and equipment. Canada Plan Service. Plan 1000.
http://www.cps.gov.on.ca/english/bc1000/bc1000.htm

Buhman, M. G. Dewell, and D. Griffin. 2000. Biosecurity Basics for Cattle Operations and
Good Management Practices (GMP) for Controlling Infectious Diseases. Neb Guide. G00-
1411-A. http://ianrpubs.unl.edu/animaldisease/g1411.htm

Burris, R., C. Absher, S. McNeill, and L. Turner. 1986. Beef cattle corrals and handling facilities
ID-13. http://www.ca.uky.edu/agc/pubs/id/id13/id13.htm

Larson, R. Stocker cattle facilities. University of Missouri.

http://agebb.missouri.edu/commag/beef/premierbeef/pbdocs/facilities.htm

Lay, Don. Cattle handling and behavior. Beef Quality Assurance. Iowa Beef Center. Iowa
State University Extension. http://www.iabeef.org/BQA/handling.aspx

Pastoor, J. Cost effective feedlot facility design. Land O’ Lakes Beef Links.
http://www.beeflinks.com/facilities.htm

Petherick, C. 2004. Animal welfare and beef cattle feedlots. Queensland Department of
Primary Industries and Fisheries. http://www.dpi.qld.gov.au/beef/6942.html

24
Stocker Backgrounder Nutrition and Management Lesson 5
Lesson 5
Facilities and Handling

1. Name three basic backgrounding lot designs discussed. Based on what you learned,
describe one advantage, and one disadvantage of each.
a.
b.
c.

2. What would be the bunk space capacity for a lot 300’ long and 250’ wide, if the bunk is
lined up with the length of the lot?

3. Describe the flight zone.

4. Where is the “point of balance”? (choose one)

a. the head
b. the shoulder
c. the hooks
d. the pins

5. If an animal becomes very excited, __________________ are required for it’s heart rate
to return to normal.

6. Describe how cows and calves kick.

7. List four ways to reduce exposure to a livestock accident or illness.

a.
b.
c.
d.

8. What are the basic sections in a well-developed working facility?

25
Stocker Backgrounder Nutrition and Management Lesson 5
 9. List some common design flaws we see in existing corrals.

10. Which is the best design for a crowding tub among these choices (choose one):
a. both sides have 30 degree angle
b. one side is a 90 degree angle
c. both sides have a 90 degree angle
d. one side has a 30 degree angle

11. Why consider making a circular working alley (choose one):

a. making a curved alley is easier than making a straight alley
b. a curved alley is cheaper than a straight alley
c. to take advantage of an animal’s natural behavior to turn
d. A straight alley will not work

True or False

12. Shelter belts should be about 30 feet or less from facilities. T F

13. Bedding use during winter should be about 140 lb/head. T F

14. Cattle have 360 degree field of vision. T F

15. Humans have 180 degree field of vision. T F

16. The flight zone is the area where cattle run to. T F

Name___________________________________Phone___________________

Address__________________________________________________________

Fax Optional)__________________Email_______________________________

26
Stocker Backgrounder Nutrition and Management Lesson 5
 Facilities and Cattle Handling
Supplemental
Reading

1. Frequently Asked Questions:

Manure Management Plans

2. Nutrient Management Planner for Minnesota

3. Beef Cattle Handbook:

Livestock Psychology and Handling-Facility Design

27
Stocker Backgrounder Nutrition and Management Lesson 5