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central mn | Looking to build some fenceline feed bunks, wanna use them from weaned calves on up to yearlings, possibly alittle older too. Anyone have what they think works the best, have to keep the calves from escaping but also be able to feed older ones. Interested in any ideas or pics u guys have. thanks |
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NW Iowa | These are sonething i built quick to wean calves and a spot that i move cows to be calved. I was running out of time to pour cement and have bunks set in so this is what i did. I Have 8 foot 3.5 heavy pipe shoved in the ground every 12 feet, the bunks are 24 foot a piece, there is 50 foot there. Then i put 6x6 boards for the bunks to sit on, then used two 3x12's for the bottom, two 2x12's for the back side and one piece of 4x16 bridge plank for the cattle side. To keep the cattle from shoving them out i built straps that go around the inside poles to hold them and some 4 foot 3.5 poles shoved in the feed wagon side for extra strength. I Put guard rail up top, then welded pipe to flat iron then shoved oil field pipe through the pipe so they can reach the backside of the bunk. Built them real fast and they are handy for the moment. They might stay longer than intended. These calves are 650-750 lbs and i've feed some 1600 lb cows there and it worked great for them too. Any more questions just ask.
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Driftless SW Wisconsin | Kevin, Those look good! I have a similar fenceline/guardrail setup with concrete bunks except a 1/2" cable for the neck rail where you have pipe. One thing I have found is that calves will scoot under the neck cable/pipe and end up inside the bunk, then out where they shouldn't be! I put a couple wire cattle panels and tee posts behind the bunk but they would still get in the bunk. Finally went to plan B and put some scrap 1/4" plywood sheets (almost free at the lumber yard) and put them down between the rear of the bunk and the cattle panels so it cut the sight line out. Calves now stay in and everyone stays calmer when they can't see out past the bunk. Not a problem with the yearlings and over but 200-300 lb calves seem to be able to squeeze thru about any (non-electrified) opening with something interesting on the other side! Bunk looks good. I like guardrail on those pipe posts. Jim at Dawn
Edited by Jim 12/24/2009 20:51
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NW Iowa | Thanks Jim and Happy Holidays! Can you still feed with a feed wagon with the setup of ply wood and panels? I've had a friend put in short round steel posts along the feed wagon side just a few inches above the bunk and put a hot wire up but they have the cables. Mostly everyone has gone to the pipe around here and they don't sneek through cause nothing gives to be able to get legs and necks through. I delivered a bunch of calves from the sale barn for a neighbor of mine last week that averaged 255 lbs and he has a 2 pipe setup with the bottom pipe the same height as mine. Calves never reach our feedlots under 550 lbs. This yard of mine is mainly set up for cows about to calve January-April. About 35 head at a time rotation as they calve, then they move to single pens with their calves for 1-3 days, and new momma's come in to take their place. But this year its an over flow yard for extra calves untill i'm ready to calve in 2 weeks. Hope the weather shapes up by then! |
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Driftless SW Wisconsin | I onlý use my bunks for a sweet feed treat once a week or so to get them coming into the corral when I call. I just pour a couple 5 gal pails of feed in. over the top by hand. I would think you could load it over the toP with a feed wagon but might be tough to see level. Jim at Dawn |
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| I would avoid cable if at all posible. Been there, done that. Cable can wear and deposit thin wires in the feed. Changed ours out to 7/8 sucker rod within 2 years and it works great. Hardly any escapes anymore, and easy to adjust with our bracket system. Will try to find some pics. Shortly after this was taken we changed out the cable. This system is easy to clean and works well for us. 850 lb hfrs here. we just turned them in for the day. If we were feeding we would have the cable (or now sucker rod) up higher. We finish steers with this line.
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Iowa | You probably already know this, but I will mention it anyways. There is a difference between "fenceline feedbunk cable" and wire rope(cable) that is used for towing or overhead lifting. The fenceline feedbunk cable uses fat wire and only about 7 strands or so. Dad and I had to go to a concrete place that sold feedbunks to find the actual fenceline feedbunk cable, you just can't go to the hardware store and buy this style of cable off of their shelves. |
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NW Iowa | Looks like they need that cable rasied a few there Jack? Just by the look in 542's eyes anyway lol. I like the sucker rod idea, has alitte flex yet strong and lasts forever.
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Driftless SW Wisconsin | This is a good clear publication on feedbunk dimensions and neck rail (H) height I used with mine: http://www.agriculture.gov.sk.ca/1633a Jim at Dawn
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NW Iowa | Here's another site that gives alot of options and specs on bunks. This is also the place we all buy feed bunks from in our area.
http://www.allianceconcreteinc.com/precast/fence_bunks.htm |
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West Salem, Illinois | Hey wade, In the bottom pic you have a bunk made out of what looks like a piece of large diameter pipe? Do you like that bunk or would you rather it be concrete? What dimension is the pipe, and it looks like you also have a 2x6 around the back so the calves don't slope the feed out of the bunk? |
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| SOILcattleman - 12/25/2009 21:36
Hey wade, In the bottom pic you have a bunk made out of what looks like a piece of large diameter pipe? Do you like that bunk or would you rather it be concrete? What dimension is the pipe, and it looks like you also have a 2x6 around the back so the calves don't slope the feed out of the bunk?
Its just sheet metal curved and welded, not sure who made them. Id rather have concrete( concrete ones are a little bigger and easier to shovel out with a flat bottom ) Theres just boards around the front i guess to get a little more feed in them and so they dont push it out the front. |
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feed bunks
