Let's have a look at the feed fence. What should it look like?
Statement form our trainer Jack Rodenburg:
"From a cow comfort standpoint I have always argued that headlocks are not a good system anyway. Handling a cow in the "happy place" where she is supposed to eat a maximum amount of dry matter just doesn't appeal to me. Seems like combining my favourite restaurant with the dentist's office and not telling which service I will receive until I sit down. Hence my strong preference for separating cows for handling and doing it in a chute or management rail".
Please share your thougts as well. What do you think is the best solution?
Comments (25)
Malik Muhammad Ali
Do you think 11 inch space between these flexible heads paces in enough?
Malik Muhammad Ali
How can i post pictures in this comment. I want to show that cows have feed competition in this model as well. I have pictures and videos of barn with these head stalls.
Anouk Brinkhoff
Everyone: you can find Malik's video and pictures here: http://www.cowsignals.com/blog/green_feed_pins_-_what_do_you_think
Have a look & thanks for sharing Malik!
Joep Driessen
Cows need 75 cm space... In the pic they do not touch each other which is nice when heat stress is there…
Nick J. Bell
Hi everyone. The problem you get here is the herd now stretches on tiptoes to reach further. Anecdotally I've associated this stretching on more front foot disease/lameness. I tend to look at the pushing up and space provision first. Clever innovation though for cow comfort when pushing up feed is right.
Kim Wollesen, Cow-Welfare
Dear all. Thanks for all the comments. It is nice to hear what you think about our products. My father invented this feed fence in 2010, and I just wanted to give you our comment as well.
When he developed it, he was looking at the feeding from the cows perspective. A cow takes 5, 6 maybe 7 bites on the pasture before it moves. I have a video of it here: https://youtu.be/mmOf3u3cuMc. It does so by stretching its neck a bit.
This feed fence makes the cows do that at the feeding table, so it can exercise real cow behavior.
Furthermore, the cows won't get hurt when stretching its neck because it is both flexible and made of a softer material than iron. This gives the cow more freedom which reduces stress. And a reduction in stress will make the cow produce more.
Joep Driessen
Thanks Nick and Kim, very good to read your posts!
Mauro Mowszowicz
The flexible system works quite well! i have tried it in a farm we work with. I just can say its a clever bit of equipment.
Here is a video we took on the 1st trial. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UhUCjOKL21w
if you want more pics and videos just let me know
Mauro M.
dairyintl@gmail.com
Joep Driessen
Nice video, thanks for sharing! Great to hear it works well
Bobby
This article helps me so much, Thanks that i found this very informative article!
Joep Driessen
Hi Bobby, Glad to hear you like it! If you want to know more, we've just published a brand new whitepaper on feeding space. You can download it here: https://www.cowsignals.com/books/whitepaper_library/cattle_feed_barrier_design/?ref=cms
Nikki
What a great read. I learned something new that can be really useful for future
Joep
Hi Nikki,
Great to hear that! Are you planning innovations? If you need more tips, check out the whitepaper on feeding space here:
https://www.cowsignals.com/books/whitepaper_library/cattle_feed_barrier_design/?ref=cms
Or ask us directly :). We're happy to help!
Rochelle
This article has been a big help for me. Thanks I was able to read this one
Joep
You're very welcome! Are you going to change anything on your farm? Or do you advise other farmers? Don't hesitate to let us know your results via info@cowsignals.com :).
Carl Cruz
Definitely needed this information now. Thank you for posting and give me what I need to know.
Joep Driessen
Always good to hear that. You're welcome!
Breana
Wow! such a great information about fence this is very helpful!
Tessie
This article is something that I have been looking for It was a great read!
Bridget
Just a post that I actually needed . glad I was able to read this.
Joep Driessen
I'm glad to hear this blog is helping so many people! If you're looking for more information about feed barrier design, you might like our Whitepaper about it, too. You can download it for free by going to: https://www.cowsignals.com/books/whitepaper_library/cattle_feed_barrier_design/?ref=cms
Mary Grace
Great read! I ove how informative this article
Geline
This is an awesome read. Thanks for sharing this to us!
Abby Tolintino
Such a great and informative post. This can be a big help for me with my future project
Nikki
What a great read. I learned something new that can be really useful for future
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