A different type of crowding area for handling facilities

[Karin L]

There's some folks out there who say it's the bee's knees and is better to work cattle in than a crowd tub. See here:

YouTube

and Here too.

I don't know the difference as I've never really worked with either, but admittedly I have worked in a similar "layout" in the past. This thing I'm talking about is the "new" Bud Box, which is just a rectangular corral (probably like 12' x 16' or 20') that is positioned so that the race or working chute is at the corner of this "box." Folks on another forum were saying that this system is marketed for $6K, but I really don't see how someone could be foolish enough to pay that much for just a few panels and gates set up as a block and a way to work cattle into the chute.

Heck I don't even know how it would work with nutty cows or bulls. I suppose there'd have to be a man-gate or a space somewhere in this set up that a body could escape through, just like with any holding or working pen. But really, a sweep or crowd tub is a bit better in that sense since you're keeping a solid gate and rounded fence between you and the cow or bull that's out to skin your hide. And too, what about cattle in the opposite end of the spectrum? How can this system be used if you've got a few animals that literally have no flight zone whatsoever?? Again, I believe the crowd tub and gate is best with this because it makes the animals move instead of you having to actually lead them into the race.

This bud box would work great for newbies who are just learning the actual handling and working part of cattle, not just pushing a few gates around. Also good for those who've got a few bucks to spend and (as quoted by another member who had a comment on this) who don't know how to weld.

Thoughts?

[rancher1913]

been using that on my chute for a lot of years, never heard the term bud box before but it just made sense to me. neighbors use a tub and it can be a pain.

[tinknal]

That might be fine for a few head. I've ran tens of thousands of head of cattle through tubs and it is the only way to go if you are handling a large number of cattle. When I rode pens on the feedlot incoming cattle would get 5 injections, an ear tag, an implant, and a worm drench and we could work 345 head an hour.

[myersfarm]

looked like the first cow went all the way to the chute...like there was feed down there.....not saying they will not go into the chute that way BUT ALL THE WAY to the squeeze chute with out stopping was what amazed me

THE FIRST link WITH THE MAN WALKING IN 4 OR 5 A TIME would sure take a lot of walking to work a good size herd..
.I have the prefiered tub and working ones that go thought it each year two or three times are the ones that give me pains


But I have found several videos on this seems like all of them work great..and it is not like they are trying to sell this bub chute and make money off it...so it must work like they showed..but I will still use my tub

[Karin L]

I agree, I don't think this system would work for a larger herd of over 10 animals. I would like to see a video or something similar about this set up working with 10 to 20 cattle at a time.

[lonelyfarmgirl]

I dont see what the issue would be with a larger number of cattle. where we had ours pastured over last summer, his loading thing was round, and it had an outer ring that had gates to divide into 4 sections, and an inner circle that was somewhat spiral like. there was a center gate that pivoted on a center pole and forced them into the chute that was curved. the entire thing was probably a 25 or 30 foot diameter circle total and we worked 50 or 60 head at once in there without too much of a problem.

but of course, those jiggly things in the video looked super flighty. most of ours are not.