Cattle handling pen on a budget

[RedRock]

So I need to get a cattle pen built for my new heifer to get her caught up on vaccinations, etc. I have a pretty simple design I'll be using that will include standard cattle panels, wood posts and Tposts. This will be a first for me so I'm learning as I go. I have a few questions that come to mind. 1 - when attaching the 5x16 mesh panels to a wood post in the corner, what's the best way to secure them in a corner? On the side runs I'll have the panels inside the posts so that pressure from the inside won't remove the staples and animal weight presses against the posts.

2 - for my sweep gate, is there a special way to mount it(to wood), or should I us a small diameter steel post to allow for as full of a gate swing as possible?

 

[creekbend]

Hopefully this will be of some assistance? www.fao.org/docrep/003/x6909e/x6909e07.htm

 

[foreman Etexas]

 

[RedRock]

I'll take those edits under consideration Etex, this is going to be backed into a corner of an existing fence so I can't use the top gate. I also found a double hinged gate setup that might work for the sweep gate. Thanks!

 

[cmyoung2]

For the swing gate I would use a 3-4" pipe as the gate post, then use the next size up that will slip over that pipe for the hinges. You get 360 rotation, and if you set the post deep enough-4'- It shoudn't move.
Make the gate strong, a normal gate or corral panel will bend. I would also but wood planks behind the 16' welded wire panels, maybe three boards-top bottom and middle. I love those panels, but cattle being pressured will bend them and pull out what ever you use to fasten them. I understand budgets, but if a cow is going to have a chance to push it, forget t posts and use wood. Heifer might not look big, might be tame, might never cause any problems---but---plan a little stouter. If you think it will hold a ton of bull, it might, just might be strong enough for a cow, and if you build it strong it's a one time thing and nobody gets hurt. If you don't, then you have to tear down, rebuild, and pay a vet/dr. bill.
Midwest plans has a good beef construction guide, used it for many years working with producers. MWPS: MidWest Plan Service, A Foundation of Knowledge for Agriculture

 

[nwngunner]

I am currently building a yard to house my bull. Having built a barn yard several times i have learned think its strong enough make it stronger. The yard i am building now is rail road tie on 8 foot centers. Green treat 2x6 just about knee high and at the top.

 

[RedRock]

thanks, cmyoung, that swing gate suggestion sounds pretty solid, I had also found something similar here CANADA PLAN SERVICE: plan 1812 (but I'd rather just attach a metal gate rather than build one like the pic) I had planned to concrete in posts at corners and 16' panel joining spots, but posts at every 8' are probably better.

 

[cmyoung2]

thanks, cmyoung, that swing gate suggestion sounds pretty solid, I had also found something similar here CANADA PLAN SERVICE: plan 1812 (but I'd rather just attach a metal gate rather than build one like the pic) I had planned to concrete in posts at corners and 16' panel joining spots, but posts at every 8' are probably better.

In the corner where the crowd gate will be, I would really consider putting the posts 4' OC, 8' everywhere else. It is really amazing how much pressure a cow can generate.
I saw one fairly heavy duty farm gate, mounted on a 8" wood post with regular gate type hinges, being used as a crowd gate. There were no stops/posts to stop the gate, a heifer took it all the way a round the post, also taking out the welded wire panels that were the corral. She actually took the gate 2 x 360. 12' gate ended up as a 4' circle. That guy now believes in building right and stout the first time. Nobody got hurt, so it was sort of funny, but it wasn't my gate

 

[cmyoung2]

That Canadain gate was what I had in mind. If you get a real heavy duty pipe gate, not too long- 8-10' and weld it to the hinges, should work well. If you can work with a 8' gate, 1" plywood braced with 2x6 may also work

 

[crowbar032]

I don't know how much time you have and what you have access too, but I will try to describe what I saw an old timer do many years ago. He had access to a large amount of 2-4 inch tree saplings (type doesn't matter much.) He set 2 good locust fence posts about 4 inches apart at 8 ft intervals to make the size pen he wanted. He then stacked up the saplings inbetween the posts making sure they overlapped into the next set of posts by 6-8 inches, almost like a split rail fence. Over the years as the bottom sapling started to rot, he just put a new one on top and let it sink down. He did splurge and buy bull gates for the entrances. It was a lot of upfront work and it looked like ****, but it was cheap and nothing ever kicked or pushed its way out of it that I was aware of.