Your Guide to Buying a Calf Table
Calf Tilt Tables
Handling any large animal for a procedure is tricky and potentially dangerous, and a calf weighing up to 450 pounds is no different. Fortunately, a calf tilt table offers a solution to your processing needs by accommodating the following.
Facilitation of multiple procedures: Once the calf is secure in the table, it is ready for branding, vaccinating, dehorning, or castrating. After the calf is locked in the table, the handler has access to all areas of the body. This enables efficient and quick procedures.
Less necessary manpower. Calf tilt tables require only one person to operate. They also lessen strain on the body, which is beneficial for handlers who wish to continue their work for years to come.
Increased processing speed. Because the table offers greater safety and faster processing, the handler is able to administer more cattle in a given period of time.
Reduced stress on the animal and the operator. Because the table offers sufficient head support for the calf while being tipped, less strain is placed on the animal. The animal will be calmer and offer less resistance.
What to Look for in a Calf Table
The advantages of a calf table are hard to deny. So, what do you look for in a model that will fit your specific needs? When comparing calf table reviews, you’ll see there are many models available. Accessories aside, the most common features are:
Ability to handle up to 600 lbs.
Reversible left or right operation to allow flexibility in branding
Adjustable head tables to keep the animals’ heads from flopping
Even squeezing of sides of the chute from both sides, keeping calves centered in the head gate and making it easy to roll them over
Ability to tip table to different angles to give easier access
Wide opening, scissor-type manual head gate that can be opened to the desired width for easier calf catching
Quick-release pin that allows the operator to drop the side during an emergency
Non-rust powder finishes
Hydraulic Squeeze Chutes
Need to handle an even higher quantity of livestock? Try a hydraulic squeeze chute. It tends to be more of an investment than a calf table, but there are quite a few pros.
First, through a series of levers, the head catch, belly catch, and tipping are hydraulic. Second, some models can process up to 125 cattle per hour. Third, the pressure settings of the clamp walls can be adjusted so that the cattle are comfortable and subject to less injury as they await their procedure. Last, not having a manual door to access the calf’s body parts means no chance of fingers getting caught. However, due to the more automatic nature of hydraulic squeeze chute, it’s important to give proper walkthroughs to any operator.
Regardless of which type of squeeze chute better fits your needs, your livestock handling efforts will be simplified. Livestock will be treated more humanely, and both you and your animals will experience less stress. For more detail on which model is best integrated with your business and tools, take a look at Farm Ranch Store’s calf tables and hydraulic squeeze chutes.