
SO we have a small set of yards that consists of 2 yards and a loading ramp, no race.
I am concerned about not having anywhere to restrict the cows like a crush, if we need to get a vet out for any reason, like when the nearly here calf needs to become a steer or be disbudded, or for AI-ing the cows in a few months time. They are pretty quiet, eat out of my hand and 'Butters' doesn't mind a chin scratch, but none are halter trained.
I was thinking about adding a small race to a section of the yard that could be gated front and back, would this do? At the moment I know if we HAD to I could simply restrain them back behind a gate in the yards.
Of course trying to minimise the expenditure, there's no way I am going to buy some fancy commercial crush for three cows...
All of the existing yards are post and rail, about 6ft high with five 6x1.5 inch boards forming the rails. It looks like most of the timber has been very recently replaced - ie in the last three years - except the loading ramp, so its in reasonable nick.
We have LOT of steel purlins left over from building the shed, I am already thinking of running these around between the two bottom rails as I reckon a dexter calf could just wiggle straight through at the moment.
This is the layout of the yards currently (blue), and my idea (green), if anyone has any suggestions?

