My job at preg testing is a simple one. Help keep the alleyway full of cows and make sure they go in the chute in a timely manner. I don’t swish the cows together tightly nor do I have to force them in the chute. In fact, most of the time, I’m not right there, but much further back giving a “shshshsh” sound of encouragement. As the former cow leaves, the next in line sees that, and believes she can go too.
I don’t deny there are occasions when I’m not happy with the girls. A few cows don’t like the noise and banging of the chute and they will try to turn around. That can get dangerous and so, if I need to be emphatic about it, I WILL. I’ve seen cows bend the wrong way in the narrow chute and tip themselves upside down. An upside down cow will quickly suffocate from the pressure on her lungs.
That’s when the guys will rush in to save her. First by emptying the rest of the cows from the chute by getting them to back all the way out. That’s not easy. Then, depending on her position, they have to move her head or grab a leg and shove! That’s nerve wracking. So, yes, when a cow begins to turn back, I’ll wave a flag in her face or pop her on the nose. Just be a good girl and go down the alley so that life is good!
I’m very happy to have good, gentle cows.
Look how tall the grass was at one point to get wedged in there! That’s amazing.
Then there’s the paperwork side … I used to do it, but I was happy to hand it off… Though filling the alley can be a hot, tiring job… I definitely get my exercise in going up and down and back and forth and up and down and back and forth. And this year the corral wasn’t the least bit dusty!
Find me here!
Love the black & white photos.
I never thought about a reluctant cow that might get into an upside-down
position in the narrow chute! Very tenuous situation needing several
strong guys to get her upright. Maybe that’ll be another video!