My Very Own Cattle Yards
Yesterday the panels and gates for my cattle yards were delivered and today Steven and Lucy came and helped us put them together. I haven't tried getting the cows in there yet but when we finished I opened all the gates and let the cows and calves get familiar with the yards. I have included lots of photographs of the yards, including photos of inquisitive calves. They're gorgeous. The white pair are just over six weeks old.



I have also included the plan for the yards. I found the plan in a commercial catalogue but had the panels and gates custom made by the son of a local, who has set himself up in business making yards. I had the panels custom made with two extra lower rungs to accommodate sheep for when I have so many lambs that I have to sell them. The yards here cost $6,000. I have not ordered the ramp yet, as I need to recover from this cost before I can outlay more, plus I don't need it just yet. I plan to get an adjustable ramp made, again to accommodate loading sheep onto a trailer, as well as cattle onto a truck.

Purchasing the yards is very timely, as I heard only yesterday that the property where we took the cows to the yards before when Harry was taken to the butchers is on the market and may not be available in the future.

Over the next few weeks, I will purchase a 5-in-1 injection kit and arrange for someone to help me inject and tag the four calves and 'mark' the two boys. That will be a whole new experience, as I didn't actually do this last time. I need to learn to do these things myself, but I don't think I'm ready to do it alone just yet.