The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Cattle => Topic started by: daveh on October 06, 2014, 07:22:07 pm

Title: Stall chains
Post by: daveh on October 06, 2014, 07:22:07 pm
Does anyone know of a supplier of stall chains? I have recently bought a farm that has a byre equipped with stalls but some of the stall chains are missing. They are the type where a ring runs up and down a vertical quick release post. The ring has a short length of chain, then a swivel with two lengths of chain running from it. At the end of these two chains are one with a ring and the other with a tab that fits through the ring. Any ideas?

Regards, David
Title: Re: Stall chains
Post by: Rosemary on October 06, 2014, 08:39:41 pm
If you find any, I'd liek some too. I thought about bodging something with rope  :eyelashes:
Title: Re: Stall chains
Post by: stufe35 on October 06, 2014, 09:22:48 pm
Search 'cow ties' on ebay. Rope ones readily available for £5.
Title: Re: Stall chains
Post by: farmvet on October 06, 2014, 11:11:51 pm
Just a couple of tips on using stall chains (1) put a false string link in - its easy to cut in an emergency
(2) make sure you've a good lightening conductor on the byre - I once saw a whole byre full of cows electrocuted after a lightening strike
Title: Re: Stall chains
Post by: Buttermilk on October 07, 2014, 07:41:52 am
You could use strong tether collars with chain to the posts.  http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/NEW-LEATHER-TETHERING-COLLAR-NECK-STRAP-CART-HARNESS-ROMANY-DRIVING-BOWTOP/151419893697?_trksid=p2047675.c100011.m1850&_trkparms=aid%3D222007%26algo%3DSIC.MBE%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D25401%26meid%3D00cb4fa8a8574d9aa64ac1d269830c57%26pid%3D100011%26prg%3D10670%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D10%26sd%3D321082163721 (http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/NEW-LEATHER-TETHERING-COLLAR-NECK-STRAP-CART-HARNESS-ROMANY-DRIVING-BOWTOP/151419893697?_trksid=p2047675.c100011.m1850&_trkparms=aid%3D222007%26algo%3DSIC.MBE%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D25401%26meid%3D00cb4fa8a8574d9aa64ac1d269830c57%26pid%3D100011%26prg%3D10670%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D10%26sd%3D321082163721)

 I buy mine from a stall at York Horse sales where they cost £10.  Alternatively keep going to farm sales where they can turn up.
Title: Re: Stall chains
Post by: Mountainwoman on October 23, 2014, 11:00:51 pm
I'm pretty sure they sell cow chains in my local agicultural merchants so worth having a look in your local shop. Not sure if I'm allowed to mention the name of the shop or not so I won't just now.
Title: Re: Stall chains
Post by: daveh on October 25, 2014, 06:58:35 pm
Have looked in all my local agricultural merchants with no success. Who are your local merchants, you can mention the name.

Regards, David
Title: Re: Stall chains
Post by: shygirl on October 25, 2014, 07:01:47 pm
I'm pretty sure they sell cow chains in my local agicultural merchants so worth having a look in your local shop. Not sure if I'm allowed to mention the name of the shop or not so I won't just now.

who?
Title: Re: Stall chains
Post by: Mountainwoman on October 25, 2014, 10:10:44 pm
McCaskies in Lanark. They also have the shop at the Caledonian mart in Stirling. I'm pretty sure I noticed them there once but think they were about £40. Might be worth phoning them to check.
Title: Re: Stall chains
Post by: landroverroy on October 27, 2014, 10:03:27 am
 By stall chains, do you mean those chains by which farmers used to keep their cows tied up, facing a blank wall all winter?
Do people still do that in these "enlightened" times?
 
Title: Re: Stall chains
Post by: Buttermilk on October 27, 2014, 11:55:11 am
I would not have a cow tethered all winter but for holding while being milked, having calves set on or for routine management tasks they can be invaluable.
Title: Re: Stall chains
Post by: daveh on October 27, 2014, 12:08:11 pm
Landroverroy asked: By stall chains, do you mean those chains by which farmers used to keep their cows tied up, facing a blank wall all winter?
Do people still do that in these "enlightened" times?

Yes, they do. Tim Tyne is a proponent.

I want them for milking and also keeping cows in overnight if the weather is hostile.

Regards, Dave
Title: Re: Stall chains
Post by: Rosemary on October 27, 2014, 12:22:31 pm
By stall chains, do you mean those chains by which farmers used to keep their cows tied up, facing a blank wall all winter?
Do people still do that in these "enlightened" times?

On Shetland, a lot of cattle are kept like this. The calves are loose but the cows are tethered.
Title: Re: Stall chains
Post by: shygirl on October 27, 2014, 12:41:32 pm
we are planning on using these as this is the only way we can house all the cattle safely atm.
not for 24/7 but for feeding and shelter when the days are awful. my cattle have been out all yr for a long time so im sure they will appreciate being able to come in for the night to dry out.
we did try using a loosebox last yr but the mess one cow made of a good straw bed in 24 hrs was a lot. tying up at least keeps the poop in one place.
ideally we would have a big airy barn with a tractor to muck out with, along with a pressure hose and slurry pit but we don't.
plus as we have a bullock who is wanting to keep his distance from the bull, a heifer calf who also needs her distance, and needs handling, and a cow to milk, having them in stalls means we can achieve this.

btw Rideaway and Robinsons sell tie ropes with clips etc that look handy if using a ring.