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Post by davstep on Mar 17, 2011 9:46:57 GMT -5
The time is now approaching to milk my first freshening Dexter. I am planning to build a milking stanchion. Has anyone on here made there own and if so are you willing to share your dimensions and material used? She is dehorned.
Any other advise provided considering placement of the stanchion and how secured would be appreciated.
Thanks all and have a great day!
David
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Post by Star Creek Dexters on Mar 17, 2011 10:56:58 GMT -5
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Post by davstep on Mar 17, 2011 11:25:43 GMT -5
Awesome! Thanks for the great photos Star Creek. They are a great help. Once I put mine up and am able to use it I will post some photos as well.
David
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Post by horsenuttyme on Mar 17, 2011 12:08:09 GMT -5
Thanks for sharing Kimberly! Would you mind sending me the plans too?
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Post by dexterfarm on Mar 17, 2011 12:36:22 GMT -5
I am in the process of building a raised stanchion just could not take the leaning over anymore. It is not done but will post pics later.
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Post by rdoubled on Mar 18, 2011 18:47:25 GMT -5
Here is what I milk in. This is really a grooming chute that was build for Dexter's.
I find it very handy.
It measures
Height 68 inches, could be taller since I hit my head on the bar often.
Width: 28 inches.
Length: 77
The head catch part when set to the smallest notch is 6 inches.
The four horizontal bars on the side can be completely romoved or you put one on each side of the cow. When I start training I them on both sides because it makes it a little harder for them kick me should they try.
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Post by rdoubled on Mar 18, 2011 18:54:57 GMT -5
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Post by Star Creek Dexters on Mar 18, 2011 19:25:07 GMT -5
Man, I wish I could get the img's to view...any way you can load the to photobucket and put them on that way? When I click on them my computer blocks it....
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Post by davstep on Mar 21, 2011 8:21:26 GMT -5
Thanks everyone for all of your helpful information. Can't wait to share my own photos once done.
David
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Post by dexterfarm on Mar 21, 2011 11:06:31 GMT -5
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Post by Star Creek Dexters on Mar 21, 2011 12:59:43 GMT -5
Mike, That is gorgeous! Is it portable? I love that you mill you own lumber. We mill some cedar here, we have used it for all types of things. Doesn't it feel good?! Do you have plans for your stanchion or did you just come up with it?
rdoubled, I love how sturdy your looks! Did ya'll weld it yourselves? I need something like that for doing my bulls hooves in!
What kind of cow are you milking in that photo?
Isn't it fun seeing what everyone does? So much creativity!
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Post by wdd on Mar 21, 2011 13:42:32 GMT -5
Nice set up Mike. I build mine about 7" off the ground and a 6' long standing area (I wish I had made it only 5' or 5 1/2' long for my Dexters) I machine milk so didn't need it off the ground as far. If I was hand milking I would really like it up like yours.. I also added a rubber horse mat so the cows don't slip when entering or exiting, it also cleans easily and I can squirt a couple streams out of each quarter and any mastitis clumps show up well on the black background..
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Post by Star Creek Dexters on Mar 21, 2011 13:45:59 GMT -5
Ok, Gary, now you know we are going to ask for pictures!  |
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Post by dexterfarm on Mar 21, 2011 14:08:35 GMT -5
Kimberly, No plans I just got the idea and built it. I did do some looking as to the size others were building. After milking I new what I wanted. I did not want to lean over I wanted the cow up in the air and on a reasonably clean surface. even with a milker it is hard to put it on her when trying to bend over to see what you are doing. I put the swing gate on the side because I needed a way to get her in when she doesn't want to go. Now as long as I can get her to the back half of the barn she has no choice but to go. I did not put a head catch because my cow has this weird thing about touching or restraining her head. I made it big enough I should be able to run any bull in if needed.
Portable? depends on your definition. I built it in my garage and moved it to the barn with the forks on the tractor took me most of a day to move level. The ramps do unbolt it takes 2 people to move each ramp and you are not going very far with them. The post are 4*4 and the floor is 2" thick the side boards are 1" thick. Those are real dimensions not like the stuff you by in the store that is .5" under size. It is very heavy and I don't plan on ever moving it.
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Post by rdoubled on Mar 22, 2011 14:40:29 GMT -5
The black and white cow is 1/2 lowline Angus, 1/4 Holstein, 1/4 British White. She has produced 2 calves marked just like her, her mother has the same markings and has produced several calves with them.
Fancy is about 43 inches tall, and was giving me 2+ gallons a day 6+ months into her first lactation with 2x a day milking. When I went to OAD milking she dropped to 1 1/2 gallons and then at around 11 months into lactation went to 3/4 gallons. I dried her up at that point. She tested A2/A2. I call her my Mini Milker.
We did not weld the Grooming Chute but had purchased it used from another Dexter owner who made it. It is made out of light gauge tubing. I would not suggest using it for hard to restrain cattle because the tubing would bend. It is easy to move around I use a hand truck without any trouble.
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