Goat Stanchion

No matter how many goats you have, a goat stanchion is bound to make your job as an owner easier. Also known as milking stations, a stanchion is a place where you can easily contain the animal for it to be milked. Animals such as goats and cows respond positively to routine, so a place to milk them on a daily basis is beneficial for you and the animal. A goat stanchion can be built easily using only a few supplies and in a short amount of time. Building one of these structures yourself can be well worth the time and effort and can create a safer environment for you and your animal.

Most goat stanchions have an adjustable seat for the person milking the animal and a platform to raise the goat to a comfortable level. Many of these stanchions also feature a feed box to keep the animal occupied while they are being milked. In order to construct one of these, you will need a saw, electric drill, a screwdriver, and wood screws. When constructing the goat stanchion, there are endless levels of customization, but should always incorporate the three parts listed above. The adjustable seat will take stress off of your back while milking, the elevated platform will put less stress on you and the animal, and the feed bucket will distract the goat and decrease the chances of it becoming agitated. Many experts advise elevating the animal no more than 12 inches from the ground so that it doesn’t fall and hurt itself.

Placing beams at the bottom for support, drill holes in them to place the legs on. The feed bucket should be fitted with a structure that limits the goat from moving too much. Many advanced goat stanchions use a design that secures the animal using a chain, but the headlock system has been proven to be more effective. A secure and distracted animal will make the milking experience Read the rest of this entry »

Think about the space you have to work with or whether you plan on building the stanchion out in the open. Goat stanchions that are built stand-alone are generally stronger, but will take up more space. If you don’t have enough space in your barn, it might be a good idea to build the stanchion outside of the barn in order to create a more effective stanchion. Since you will most likely be using the object on a daily basis, the structure should be sturdy and built for the lowest cost possible. Experts suggest using 2×4 boards and wood screws for the framework and pre-drilled holes to prevent the wood from splitting. For the feed box, use a stainless steel bowl to prevent rust and make it removable so that it is easier to clean.

Once you’ve constructed your top and bottom braces along with the head catch, try it out. Try many different actions using the stanchion and see if you need to make any changes. The point of a goat stanchion is to make caring for your goat easier. It will often be quite a process to get the design correctly, so if something isn’t working for you, don’t be afraid to make changes. A goat stanchion can be great for many different applications, but you might want to think about designing it for one specific function. Many individuals suggest designing it for one specific function and making the necessary changes to expand its use later. Since the design is pretty straightforward and easy to change, updates can easily be made in order to make it a more effective device.

Caring for livestock can be Read the rest of this entry »