To provide the best care in the critical after-birth hours of your calf’s life, be sure to enlist the help of a calf warmer.
Calf warmers should be a livestock supply staple when raising livestock
Calf warmers create an excellent shelter and warm nurturing environment for newborn calves. Usually constructed out of a durable, long-lasting, and rust-proof medium-density poly, this animal shelter is a must for newborns and should be in every livestock supply arsenal. Newborn calves require a warm enclosed space during the critical hours right after birth. They are vulnerable to the cold and need a safe place to recover from the birthing process. Barn World calf warmers have top-of-the-line heaters located in the rear of the warmer in a separate enclosure that provides a steady warm, circulating flow of air. The area is large enough so the calf can stand up or lie down while remaining in the interior warmth of the heater. Being contained allows the identity scent to remain intact so the mothers will instinctively reclaim their rejuvenated infant once they’re ready to be released.
Calf Warmer Features
Barn World carries both a PD Calf Warmer and a Sioux Steel calf warmer with the following top-of-the-line features including a fully controllable and automated heater.
Calf Warmers come with:
An adjustable 1500-watt electric heater with a fan with automatic shutoff and built-in thermostat for controlling temperature and airflow speed
The top hinged section is completely removable for ease of cleaning and for providing the largest allowable access area for calves to enter and leave the enclosure
The bottom of the warmer is reinforced for easy towing and durability. It comes complete with a tow rope already installed so you’re ready to remove the calf from the delivery area
The floor is raised and grated to provide warm air circulation throughout the entire warmer. It has a two-panel system and is removable for easy cleaning
The top eve vent allows for ventilation and circulation control as well as provides sighting access so you may keep an eye on the calf without raising the lid and disturbing it
A popular feature is the 12-volt adapter
The warmer measures 45” high, 25” wide and is 48” long to allow for maximum comfort inside.
Livestock Supplies are a necessity for newborns
To keep your young, newborn livestock healthy and to give them a great start at a long and healthy life, a calf warmer is a must during the crucial hours after birth. You know it’s always in the middle of a blizzard when they arrive. It’s a tremendous shock to go from their safe, warm confines to literally dropping onto frozen earth while still wet.
Providing a safe and comfortable environment for your animal to recover from the shock of birth is a must to ensure a great beginning in a stress-free and most importantly, a warm setting.
To take advantage of all the calf warmer has to offer, call (720) 238-2190 or visit BarnWorld.com today for all your livestock supply needs and remember, they carry everything from cattle guards to saddle pads!
Drive Over Gates are a great Cattle Guard Alternative
Barn World is excited to announce the arrival of the Drive-Over Gate. No need to stop to open a gate, pull through only to stop again to close the gate. This gate allows you to simply drive right over it! It will return to its upright position automatically as soon as the vehicle or trailer is clear.
Drive Over Gate Uses
The gate allows easy access to all your fenced-in areas without the hassle of leaving your vehicle to open and close your gates. This simple design has been tested in high-traffic feedlots with all sorts of different vehicles. We tested it repeatedly with very large tractors and heavy loads to ensure the durability of the gate and with the weight of every load transferred directly to the ground, there was no limit to what the gate could handle. It proved extremely durable and trouble-free as shown in the video above.
It also allows for smaller ATVs, walk-through, and walk-over traffic to easily pass a fence line. Large or heavy loads are not necessary to ‘open’ the gate and it is easily passable by stepping on it or by removing the pass-through stakes and simply replacing them once you’ve gone through.
It also works well with your irrigation pivots!
Gate Operation
The Drive-Over Gate is held in position with solid, heavy-duty springs that ensure many years of trouble-free use and is designed to be opened by all vehicles, large and small, from ATVs to large tractors with trailers. The tension on the springs may be adjusted to keep the gate as firm as you’d like from day one to through day 10,000.
No more gates to open or close! This gate allows you to drive right over it without exiting your vehicle! It returns to its upright position automatically and is extremely durable.
The gate is accessible from both sides and is easily pushed down by all vehicles and implements – from a small ATV to a tractor with attachments. Irrigation pivots can cross fences at any time and if you need to walk through, simply pull out one or two of the cushion rods and step through the gate. You may also just push the gate over slightly and step on it to cross.
Easy for one person to set up and move to a different location
Available in 6′, 14′ or 16′ widths
Drive over gate Video
Livestock gate
The drive-over or push-over gate is great at containing your animals while allowing easy access to all of your pastures and fenced-in areas. The gates are large and sturdy enough that livestock won’t look twice at them as a means of escape. Even if they do try and ‘test’ it, a push against the gate only leads to the gate pushing back and frightening the animal away. They quickly learn not to mess with the moving gate.
The speed that the gate ‘resets’ to its upright position may be adjusted by varying the tension on the springs or the telescoping tubing. There isn’t much pressure on the rods when they are in the down position so they barely tickle the underside of a vehicle as it crosses over. Please see the above video for a demonstration.
Installing a Drive Over Gate Cattle Guard Alternative
With its simple and reliable design, it’s very easy to install the gate. The site must be level and clear of obstructions in both directions for proper performance. In the winter, you’ll want to make sure the snow doesn’t pile up on either side as the weight of a crossing vehicle may bend the rods when compressed over large ice buildups. The gate is virtually maintenance-free.
Cattle Guard Alternative
This gate has been used to provide easy access to all fence lines and its durability allows for all types of vehicles to cross effortlessly. When comparing it to a cattle guard installation, there is no comparison. No vaulted area or foundation is required to be dug and poured with concrete. A 6-8 inch gravel base is recommended and it installs in much less time, without an engineer, contractor, or permits needed that are necessary with a cattle guard install. Simple to install and simple to use is why this gate is so popular and effective.
If you have any questions or would like a quote with shipping, please contact Barn World at 720.238.2190 or send an email to Sales@BarnWorld.com, and we will be more than happy to help!
Barn World is proud to offer a line of portable steel shelters that are designed to be livestock shelters but come in sizes large enough for efficient equipment and storage facilities as well.
Whether you need an animal shelter for goats, calves, Ostriches, or Emu’s, there’s an animal shelter built for you. All of the huts are constructed from steel and are available with swing-in or out bucket holders and bottle holders.
There are also options for the front and back of the shelters. You may choose from the fronts being partially closed with a solid immovable panel that covers half of the entrance, or get a full closure with the optional swinging door if desired.
Calf Hut with door (closed) Front closure without door
Small Animal Shelter
The small huts measure either 4-1/2’ or 7-1/2’ long in width. They come pre-assembled and like all the shelters, have the option of the front enclosure without the door or with. The height is 3’10” and light weight of only 145 lbs, which allows for easy mobility and greatly increases the uses for this small building. They come with anchors, one in the back and two for the front making your portable shelters a permanent solution until you’d like to move them for another use.
Transporting the huts is made more efficient by design. Up to fifteen of these smaller shelters can be loaded in a pickup when you’re ready to move them for another use. Extremely popular with pig and hog operations, they make great farrowing shelters.
Making them tough are the galvanized, heavy-duty corrugated steel reinforcements and heavy-angle iron frames. These buildings are designed to shine in the worst of Mother Nature as well as your livestock.
Ostrich and Emu Shelter
These huts are great for large birds and come pre-assembled in 7’ long sections. You may choose from 7’ as the shortest length and add sections up to your longest use need. Available in 8’, 12’, and 14’ widths, they offer a wide variety of uses and allow for growing and large herd sizes.
Assembly for these portable and yet permanent buildings takes a quick 2 hours and with the included 4×4 skids, you’re never stuck with a shelter in a specific place. All necessary parts are included for complete assembly.
The larger animal shelters come in widths of 8’, 10’, 12’, and 14 feet while the lengths are in any increment of 7’ and although they are not pre-assembled like the smaller shelters, it will only take two men or women, 2-4 hours to completely build them. These larger huts come with skids made of 4×4’s to make it easy to move them in the pasture or around the farm and ranch.
The 14’ wide hut is plenty big enough for a full-size pickup. You can even open the doors to get out when parked inside. It’s extremely useful to store equipment out of the snow, sun, and rain and can even make a nice workshop. There are large vents located on the back wall that open up to allow for ventilation and ‘airing out’ in the summer.
This is a picture of the back of the 14’ shelter with the back vents open
A Shelter or Hut for all types of uses
To offer the portability and versatility inherent in the design of these buildings, it is necessary to anchor them to the ground. Please note that due to varying soil composition around the country and from county to county, anchors are not included with the larger shelters, but are included with the 6’ wide huts.
For questions or information on the animal shelters or assistance with any farm and ranch livestock supplies or even cattle guards, please call (720) 238-2190 or visit BarnWorld.com today!
Cattle guards are the best solution for safely containing livestock without the use of gates. A properly installed cattle guard allows easy access through fence lines while keeping livestock secure.
We offer both flat top rails which is more comfortable for high speed areas, as well as the round top rails for maximum determinant. For heavy loads, we carry AASHTO ratings of H15, H20, U54 and U80. There’s also the more economical designs for private driveway use.
Please let us know the needs of your project and we’ll be more than happy to forward a quote for your review.
We have a large selection of hay feeders, hog feeders, mineral feeders and everything from creep feeders to feed bunks. Making sure your animals have the necessary nutrients for healthy weight gains is essential and a proper feeder will keep them growing.
Farm and Ranch Supplies
We have a large selection of grain bins, sheepskin settle pads, farrier supplies and livestock working equipment. Please take a look at all of that we have the offer and let us know if we can answer any questions or forward a quote for your review.
Promotional Video
Below is a short promotional video that we’re working on. It’s a test of a new production system that we’ll use in the future.
As we’ve stated in previous posts, cattle guards are not designed as a deterrent for all animals or even all livestock. The rounded surface of the top rails prevents the flat hoof of large animals from being able to balance while standing on it. The instability prevents them from putting weight on their hooves and the uncomfortable balancing act prevents them from crossing.
Some smaller flat-hoofed animals such as goats and even some sheep can get their smaller hooves to balance on the top ridge and can ‘tiptoe’ across just the tops of the rails. The same holds for soft pads on crossing feet. Dogs can learn to conquer the barrier and cats have no problems at all.
Can Horses Cross Cattle Guards?
A lot of people use cattle guards to deter horses but we don’t recommend it. A horse typically won’t both with unstable footing and will usually shy away from the unusual and unstable footing.
HOWEVER, if the proper incentive or more commonly they get scared or confused, they could accidentally stumble onto the barrier. Their smaller hoofs can sometimes slide down between the top rails until they hit the bottom of the vault. This exposes their legs to the steel rails and in a struggle to get out, they could break their leg. Exposing a horse to this possible catastrophe is not recommended.
While they can be an effective barrier for many animals, they are designed for cattle and work best with livestock. Other animals can be too sure-footed, clever, or use their soft pads without too much trouble.
Humans are not as well adapted to crossing as you might think. It can become second nature to cross round top rails but sometimes it takes a bit of practice.
Goats, sheep, and other smaller hoofed or even sure-footed animals are also able to make their way across. A metal swing gate is the best way to keep horses, small hooves, and soft-padded creatures from crossing.
Cattle Guard Designs
The traditional construction uses round top rails for the most effective deterrent however, this also creates the roughest ride for crossing vehicles. The most prominent design for high-speed highway traffic is the flat top rail.
This configuration uses an almost square railing welded to the beams below to create a smoother crossing for vehicles. The gap between the rails is slightly larger than the round and it is still a very effective barrier.
They’re available in higher load carrying ratings than what’s required for public roadways (16 tons per axle) as shown below:
Cattle Guard Load Ratings
H-15 (12 tons per axle)
H-20 (16 tons per axle)
U-54 (25 tons per axle)
U-80 (30 tons per axle)
They’re also available to ship with pre-cast concrete footing and wings. These deliveries are very heavy and require that the receiver provide a mechanical means of unloading as the delivery drivers don’t have a way of removing them for a trailer.
It is extremely convenient to have the foundations arrive with the cattle guards. You won’t have to pour your own footings on site! The concrete has j-bolts already embedded to fit the grid when set on top so if your site is already prepared, they can be set in place, bolted down, and back-filled all in one day!
Please be sure to consult a local contractor who is familiar with the site conditions like freezing levels, drainage, building codes, etc. for a long-lasting installation.
If we can help answer any questions or provide any guidance for your particular project, please don’t hesitate to ask. We’ll be happy to answer any questions and prepare a quote with shipping right to your site.
Don’t forget Barn World has a large selection of products for all your livestock supplies including everything from hay feeders to grain bins.
Contact us any time at (720) 23-2190 or Sales@BarnWorld.com!
Cattle Guards allow easy access to farm and ranch land by eliminating the need for gates. They give free and open access through fence lines but keep livestock contained inside. All of our cattle guards are constructed with heavy wall steel pipe and extra thick steel channel supports. The ends are capped to prevent rust and wings and boxes are available with all sizes.
Cattle Guard Types
There are two main categories to compare: round and flat top rail. The round rails are the most aggressive animal deterrent as they have round tops to prevent flat hooves from balancing. The drawback is that they create a rougher ride for high-speed vehicles.
The flat-top rails guards have slightly smaller rails spaced a bit further apart and are still very effective with cattle. They also provide a smoother vehicle crossing but are a bit more expensive.
Either is a great option for containing cattle and we’ve reviewed some more details between the two below.
This is probably the most common for private property use such as driveways, pastures, and even remote areas such as cell phone towers and oil wells. They’re more economical than the flat and provide a strong cattle barrier.
They’re available in a boxed and removable box design. These two features allow it to be placed directly on the ground without digging a vault or pouring cement footings! The steel skirt, or box, goes around the perimeter to keep dirt from creeping in beneath the top rails.
The removable design allows the center grid of rails and channels to be removed without disturbing the surrounding site Very handy in high debris areas where frequent cleanings are needed.
Boxed style cattle guard Options
Boxed styles are designed to lay directly on flat ground with a gravel under-lament recommended for drainage from the site. The box is a great option and is very popular for areas that don’t require foundations or vaults. These include lower traffic and remote or private uses. In all cases, be sure to consult with a contractor who is familiar with soil conditions including drainage, freezing levels, and any local building codes.
The flat style is designed to be mounted on cement footings and is the most popular in high traffic, high-speed areas such as public roadways. They are bolted directly to the concrete footings which come with pre-embedded j-bolts for anchoring. This setup is extremely convenient for those who don’t want to pour their own foundations or can’t get cement to a remote area economically. You can unload them from the truck and put them directly in place.
The flat-top rail guards have an optional hinged area that allows the center section to be tilted up and away. This allows for easy access beneath the rails for cleaning out debris underneath. It’s not available on all guards, but may be included with the flat top rail designs.
General Cattle Guard Notes
Here are some general notes and guidelines to help with the selection of the right type for your installation.
Load Ratings
All of our cattle guards can withstand the weight of full tractor-trailer loads. The private use of round rails is the most economical and popular for private property such as driveways and farm entrances.
The American Association of State Highway Transportation Officials (AASHTO) provides guidelines for cattle guards with maximum load ratings. The load ratings are suitable for all types of applications including heavy-duty logging roads. (See the table at the bottom of this article for more details on load ratings.)
AASHTO Design Specifications
H-15 (12 tons per axle)
H-20 (16 tons per axle)
U-54 (25 tons per axle)
U-80 (30 tons per axle)
Rated cattle guards will meet the specifications needed for state and federal requirements such as DOT, BLM, USFS, NP, and US Military installations. They are also used in commercial applications such as mining, forestry, agriculture, and petroleum production. Rated cattle guards are the product of choice for residential usage where city, county, or state regulations require the HS-20 rating. Certified structural steel is used in the manufacture of HS-20-rated cattle guards.
HS-20 cattle guards will be certified by an independent engineering firm to meet commercial standards and are intended for government bids. For use on private land, buying standard cattle guards will save you thousands of dollars, are identical in size, and are made out of the same materials. They just do not come with the certifications and paperwork back to the steel mill that government agencies require. If a non-rated guard for a private drive is needed, use a standard cattle guard.
Cattle guards may be constructed with 3″, 3-1/2″ or 4″-1/2″ pipes. The 4″ pipe allows for an approximate gap of 4″ between each pipe and is built with 9 pieces. The 3-1/2″ outside diameter pipe guards have 11 pieces and are approximately 12-1/2″ tall.
There is no difference in strength between the boxed cattle guard and the flat styles of cattle guards. These cattle guards are designed to accommodate full semi-loads at 10 tons per axle. All cattle guards weigh about 100 Lbs. per foot (a 10′ cattle guard weighs about 1,000 Lbs.). Add approximately 8 Lbs. per foot for boxed cattle guards and about another 200 Lbs. total for winged cattle guards.
Using Cattle Guards with Deer
To use with deer, you may need to place two cattle guards in tandem so you have 16 feet of protection. Cattle guards are easily bolted together to achieve greater distances in the direction of travel and create a larger deterrent for any animal wishing to attempt a jump. Please note that we recommend standard gates be used when containing horses, goats, all small hoofed and sure-footed animals, and animals with paws.
Ordering your cattle guard:
For a shipping quote, please send us an email with your destination zip code and quantity, or feel free to call the telephone number at the bottom of this page with any questions you may have about our cattle guards.
Delivery: Due to their large sizes and weights, you will need to have unloading equipment available upon delivery. The driver won’t be able to remove the guards or foundations from the trailer.
Dimensions: Private use cattle guards are NOT built to exact dimensions. Sizes may vary slightly and adding the removable box option will add about 7″ to the overall length and width.
If you have any questions, would like a quote with shipping or if we can help with anything at all, please don’t hesitate to contact us. We’ll be glad to assist in any way we can.
Cattle Guards offer livestock containment and peace of mind
Owning and running a ranch is a full-time job. It’s a 24-hour labor of love to raise and care for many animals at a time. Moving around to feed and attend to your livestock requires access to pastures that must be able to contain and protect while allowing ease of access for equipment and vehicles. A cattle guard is the perfect solution and they come in many different shapes and sizes to allow for most any type of use.
We do not recommend a cattle guard be used for all types of animals.
Horses and Small Hoofed Animals:
For some animals, these barriers just don’t work and can sometimes put them in harm’s way. Goats and other small, sure-footed creatures, can trot right across the top of the rails. Some larger animals like horses have slender hoofs that can present danger with possible dire consequences.
It is possible that some horses can slide their hoof between the top rails and into the vaulted area beneath. This can expose the most delicate and fragile part of the leg to the steel rails on each side. Once in the guard, it is extremely, if not impossible for them to get out. They will most likely try, become full of panic, and can break their leg in the struggle.
We strongly recommend only using a gate to contain horses.
Cattle Guards and Deer Deer are agile creatures with small hoofs and incredible athleticism. The installation requires a modification to be an effective deterrent.
Their ability to effortlessly jump large distances means that distance needs to be increased to be effective. We typically install at least a 12-foot barrier, with 16 feet being an ideal distance to discourage them from jumping across. To get that kind of depth, two guards are bolted together, side-by-side to double the width of the ‘Texas Gate’. Seeing the larger distance will persuade them to find another direction to travel.
Cattle Guards and Non-hoofed Animals
The working mechanism of the grid is the curved surface of the top rails. The hoof is flat on the bottom and when placed on a curved surface, it acts like a teeter-totter and doesn’t allow the animal to balance. This uncomfortable and physically challenging surface means they can’t put any weight on their leg. That, along with the limited depth perception in cows, provides a strong and seemingly impossible barrier to hoofed animals.
Those with padded feet, however, can balance on the rounded pipe as their point of contact is flexible. The ability to stand on a small curved surface allows them to balance and walk on the very tops of the rails
This means the guards are not very effective in keeping out dogs, cats, coyotes, and other ‘soft-footed’ four-legged friends. They’re able to walk across and only a gate would be able to stop them.
Types of Cattle Guards
Barn World offers several types of cattle guards for both private and public use.
Private use cattle guards are perfect for farm and ranch use and for access areas where the total axle weight is up to 10 tons. Semi-trailers, tractors, and large farming equipment are perfect for this type of guard.
They’re more economical than the flat top guards and provide a more aggressive livestock deterrent.
The round rail is very popular across the US and especially for private land use. It’s more economical and can be easy to install. Concrete foundations are always recommended as is a flat but well-drained site. They’re available with a few different options depending on the type of installation desired.
These include the skirted grid for installation directly on the ground (Boxed) as well as wings and even a removable box design.
Not all installations require a foundation for the grid to rest on. This skirted style can be set directly on the ground and the welded on perimeter box keeps dirt from coming in below the top rails. Most private users will dig a hole with a gravel base for drainage so the 12″ tall guard is about 2″ above the road surface.
For more stability, especially if the site is not perfectly flat, burying a couple of railroad ties to bolt to can help reduce any walking and offer the security of being ‘tied to the ground”.
A gravel base is recommended for proper drainage so the steel skirt welded to the outside won’t’ hold water and compromise the surrounding soil.
In many cases, the boxed design is used for construction site equipment wheel washes or rumble stripes to remove dirt before re-entering a roadway. They can also be picked up and moved to the next job to guard against tracking unwanted debris.
The Boxed Cattle Guard
All of our cattle guards can withstand the weight of full tractor-trailer loads and are typically made with 3 1/2″ or 4 1/2″ outside diameter pipe. Depending on the size used, they are made with either 9 rails of 4 1/2″ or 11 rails of 3 1/2″ outside diameter pipe and are approximately 12-1/2″ tall. There is no difference in strength between the boxed cattle guard and the flat styles of cattle guards.
Specifications
Each completed grid weighs near 110 pounds per foot (a 10′ cattle guard weighs about 1,100 Lbs.). Add approximately 8 pounds per foot for the addition of a box and near another 200 pounds in the total weight for a pair of wings. To use for deer, you may need to place two cattle guards in tandem so you have 16 feet of protection. Cattle guards are easily bolted together and the extra depth can help deter deer from crossing or jumping.
Important Delivery Notes:
You must have equipment available to unload the cattle guards from the delivery vehicle when it arrives. The delivery truck will require you to unload the cattle guard with a loader or forklift or some other means upon delivery.
Private use cattle guards are NOT built to exact dimensions and sizes may vary slightly. Adding the removable box option will add about 7″ to the total length and width of the cattle guard. For example, a 12-foot cattle guard will be about 12′-7″.
We also carry a unique cattle guard design for ATV use. It’s built to be set directly on the ground in your fence line. You may simply cut your fence, set the guard in place, and reattach your fence to the size of it to provide easy access to your all-terrain vehicles.
For more information on cattle guards, installation, or for help with any of your livestock supply needs, please visit www.BarnWorld.com today or call (720) 238-2190 and we’ll be happy to help.
Remember, Barn World is y our home for everything from saddle pads, hay feeders, grain bins, mineral feeders, and everything to do with livestock. We even carry livestock scales!
Cattle guards allow for ease of access to your pastures and livestock or keep your valuable animals at home without the use of cumbersome gates. It’s not necessary to stop, get out of your vehicle or climb down from your farm equipment to open a gate, or drive through, all the while watching for animals trying to escape along the way, only to then get out again to close the livestock gate behind you. Better make sure it’s secure behind you to prevent a jailbreak when you’re not around! The guards offer peace of mind knowing that a gate wasn’t left open and that you won’t have to spend your day chasing your cattle or other animals around the county!.
That’s why Barn World offers not only a large selection of livestock supplies but also a wide variety of cattle guards and options.
Flat Pipe vs. Round Pipe – two different finishes for different uses.
The flat rails offer vehicles a smoother ride when crossing the control area and are a valuable option to consider when higher speeds are present. Even though the flat-topped guard isn’t quite as daunting to livestock as the round pipe, it still provides a very effective deterrent. These are typically used on highways and in high traffic areas where speeds and vehicle comfort are a priority.
Round pipe offers the most effective means of dissuading animal crossings. A large part of the deterrent is a mental and visual cue that the animal perceives. The round rails create s a deeper shadow and the perception of a larger obstacle than the flat. It also offers a more challenging physical barrier. A flat hoofed animal with have a very difficult time finding footing on a rounded surface and won’t be able to balance its hoof on the pipe. We have seen cattle ‘test’ a guard by placing a single hoof on the pipe only to realize that it can’t place any weight on the hoof to cross.
If the visual appearance doesn’t immediately persuade it to stay away, the inability to balance a single hoof on the cattle guard will. The round style is very popular on farms, ranches, private drives, and public roadways.
Cattle Guard Boxes
Boxed cattle guards allow for installation directly on the ground. Dirt is typically piled up on each side to provide a ramp for vehicles to cross the 12” tall barrier. The box itself is simply a steel skirt that prevents dirt from creeping in underneath and filling in the space under the guard. You may choose from the integral box, which is welded directly to the perimeter seen here,
or a removable box that allows for cleaning the vault area below without disturbing the area around it by simply lifting the guard:
These boxed guards are extremely popular and useful for construction sites as washouts, and dirt shakers and allow for installation without digging a vault and pouring footings. To clean debris out from underneath, it can simply be drug from its resting place and then returned. It is important to install on level ground to prevent movement over time.
Wings are used to connect the guard to a fence line to prevent livestock from crossing around the fence post. They are triangles that are attached to the ends of the barrier, lean away from the roadway, and provide a vertical post to run the fencing to. Without them, crossing around the last fence post can be possible and some animals may just skirt the guard.
Cattle Guard Animal Safety
It’s important to remember that these barriers are not effective for all types of animals and of particular note, we don’t recommend them for horses. Horses’ hooves and legs are such that they can slide their leg down between the pipes. They then panic to get out and can break their slender leg. We suggest a typical farm gate be used at all times to contain horses.
Other animals that may not be discouraged and can simply walk across the tops or rounded pipe are goats, dogs & cats, sheep, and hogs. They are more sure-footed and can trot right across a cattle guard.
For information or help with your cattle guard project, whether it’s for private use, construction, public roadways, or heavy-duty off-road use, please contact Barn World and we will be happy to help plan your project with you.
As always, please go to www.BarnWorld.com or call 720.238.2190 for all of your livestock supply needs!
Cattle guards: the most efficient means of containing livestock without a gate.
If you have traffic through your pasture or across your fence-line, you know how inconvenient a gate is especially if others need to use it. Not only that, but if someone were to leave the gate open or not latch it closed, you could be looking for and trying to track down your animals days later!
The cattle guard was created to allow vehicles to cross through a pasture fence-line without having to rely on opening and successfully closing a gate, however, they do not work with all animals. As we have pointed out in other blog posts, (Cattle Guards can be dangerous to some animals) they are not effective with dogs, goats, and sheep and can be especially dangerous to horses. The best and safest means for effectively containing these types of sure-footing animals is a simple gate.
The rounded rail creates two deterrents for cows and other livestock
1. Physical Discomfort
: Hoofed animals have a flat surface at the end of their legs to place their weight. This creates discomfort and a problem with balance when attempting to walk on an uneven surface. When placed on a rounded pipe, the hoof will rock forward or backward and create an unstable condition for the animal making it almost impossible for them to balance. If your livestock is brave enough to even attempt venturing a leg on, it will quickly discover how difficult it is to balance. This physical barrier is an extremely successful DETERRENT for many hoofed animals.
2. Optical Barrier
: The second barrier element that a round-finish cattle guard creates is mental; an optical barrier. Being color blind and having very poor depth perception, the shadows that are projected by the pipe between the rails, amplify the distance and depth between the pipes and will dissuade even the most stubborn or determined animals from thinking about crossing. There have been studies on ‘virtual’ barriers that are no more than lines painted on a road to create the same optical illusion as a cattle guard, but they have been shown to have limited success in keeping cows home.
Picture of a ‘Virtual Cattle Guard’ from Wikipedia:
From Wikipedia
Deer: Deer are another common animal that can be effectively deterred by guards. They are such athletic creatures and can jump large distances with little effort that it requires a larger impassable distance to be created. To effectively discourage these extreme jumpers, you need to provide at least a 12′ barrier and more commonly a 16′ barrier to prevent them from attempting a jump across. This requires two 8′ guards to be bolted together to provide a sixteen-foot dimension in the direction of vehicle travel and an effective obstruction. I hope that a fence, tall enough to prevent jumping, be attached to the cattle guard as well.
Cattle Guards are not effective for all animals
Some animals will not be deterred or have a problem crossing a guard. These are usually the non-hoofed variety with paws. Dogs, cats, coyotes, and others will have no trouble getting over the rounded pipes. Even small hoofed animals such as sheep and goats will usually be able to trot right across without much effort. Here, a gate is the most effective.
Not for Horses or bison
The second most requested use we see for these animal deterrents is for the control of horses. We do not recommend that they be used with horses as the horse anatomy has such a slender leg, that its hoof can slide down between the pipe until it reaches the bottom of the vault. This traps the leg and exposes it to breaking easily when struggling to get out and can prove to be devastating. Please use a gate when keeping your horses in a pasture as a cattle guard and a horse leg do not mix well at all.
Bison or buffalo, offer a challenge at the other end of the hoof size spectrum. Their hooves are so large, that if the surface pipes are not placed far enough apart, they can get them across the space span and create a stable bridge to balance on. It is not an easy task for them, but here too, a gate is recommended for these large animals.
Crossing Cattle Guards – A concern for human traffic
Although designed to prevent livestock from crossing, these devices can also pose a dangerous predicament for humans, especially children. The average gap in the piping is usually 3-1/2″ to 4-1/2″ and can be difficult for the human foot to handle when not being especially careful. Because their feet are much smaller than an adult’s and they may not be as well-suited for balancing on a curved surface, it can be particularly hazardous for a child to cross. While it may be tempting to weld a small strip of metal or attach a board for people to cross, we would again recommend the use of a gate. Even the smallest strip can allow the more sure-footed hoofed animals an escape route out of your pasture.
Flat Top Cattle Guards – a smoother alternative
When used in high traffic, or high-speed areas, a flat-topped alternative can be used to provide a smoother ride for vehicles. Although not quite as effective a barrier as the round pipe finish, the flat tops allow for effective livestock control while providing a smoother ride for vehicles.
The individual crossing pipes that create the top of the guard are a flat-topped hexagon that provides a smoother finish for cars and tractors to ride on. They allow easier traversing for human feet while still creating a deterrent for animals. Livestock are not as intimidated by this type of finish, but it can still be effective when properly installed.
Cattle guards are an efficient means of protecting and containing your livestock without the use of a gate. They can save considerable inconvenience and provide a reliable way of keeping your animals from harm while providing effortless crossings for vehicles.
See Barn World for all your livestock supplies and help with your cattle guard projects.
To effectively manage livestock health and growth, you need a high quality long-lasting scale. Tracking accurate weight and data will help ensure a healthy animal. There are many different animal scales to choose from but this post will focus on the portable platform scales for everyday use.
Platform scales provide a versatile means of weighing almost anything and come in low profile, light weight and heavy duty options. The most popular are rated at capacities of 1,000, 2,000, and 3,000 pounds and remain portable.
The all-purpose livestock scale in the one thousand pound capacity was initially designed as a 4H Scale. It’s weighs all types of animals that require a nice low-profile platform and portability when being weighed. It has a stainless steel indicator and a digital readout that creates an easy to see display. This scale also includes a 6 V rechargeable battery for use when not near a power outlet and an AC adapter to provide power to the scale or charge the battery.
The all-purpose livestock scale in the one thousand pound capacity was initially designed as a 4H Scale. It’s weighs all types of animals that require a nice low-profile platform and portability when being weighed. It has a stainless steel indicator and a digital readout that creates an easy to see display. This scale also includes a 6 V rechargeable battery for use when not near a power outlet and an AC adapter to provide power to the scale or charge the battery.
The platform itself is a low 2- 1/2 inches and is made with diamond tread to provide traction and prevent falls. The end ramps make it easier for your animals to get on and off the scale with hesitating, tripping or falling. The adjustable feet allow you to even the scale on an un-even surface for accurate weighing and at 55-1/2” by 20”, the platform is large enough to accommodate pigs, sheep, goats and calves.
The PS-1000 arrives ready to use, just place it on a hard surface and connect the indicator to begin weighing immediately – perfect for showing animals at your next 4H function.
The PS-2000 animal scale is another platform scale with a 2,000 pound capacity and a large 59″ x 30″ steel weighing area. The rugged steel platform is made with a diamond plate surface that protects animals and yourself from accidentally slipping and falling. To help your livestock access the platform, the scale has ramps on both ends. A calm animal is much easier to way than a nervous or anxious one. The platform itself is only 2 1/2 inches high and weighs only 105 pounds and has two slide-out handles to assist with portability. There is no installation or set up to be done as this is a true plug and play scale with great potential for waiting almost anything.
This platform scale has a 3,000 pound capacity and will weigh almost anything with this large steel platform. The platform is powder coated for corrosion protection and finished with a safety tread to prevent accidental falls. It also has a 150% overload protection feature in case you happen to weigh something more than 3,000 pounds. At 78 -3/4 inches long and almost 40 inches wide and only 3.93 inches tall, there is plenty of room to weigh animals, freight and anything else you could roll onto the platform.
There is also an optional indicator stand that is 36 inches tall for easy viewing in remote areas. The battery life is approximately 20 hours and there is an auto off feature to help prevent the battery from being drained when not in use. This scale also features an average weight hold for when animals are skittish on the scale.
As with all the platform scales, there is no installation or parts assembled. Just plug it in, set it on a hard surface and you are ready to weigh!
Scale can be used on battery power alone is what outlet is not available. It also has a hold feature to assist getting an accurate weight even when the animal is moving.
When you need to weigh large loads or have the option to weigh large objects, this scale provides an economical means for weighing everything from livestock to bulk containers.
Whatever weighing your needs, from animals scales, livestock scales or just large, heavy duty weighing, there is a platform scale for you at Barn World.
Please visit BarnWorld.com or call 720.238.2190 today!
