Every heifer group should have access to a restraining system. A farm’s vaccination, reproduction, hoof trimming, and other management schedules need to be considered and accounted for when designing replacement housing. Cornering heifers behind a gate, while the least expensive restraint option in terms of equipment, still requires haltering to completely restrain the animal and multiple people to handle each heifer, consuming time and energy that could be used more efficiently. A chute or automatic head catch with a gate can alleviate the need to hold a heifer in a small area while attempting to halter and tie her head, yet still allows only one heifer to be handled at a time. While young heifers will certainly need observation and sometimes a little training to use headlocks along the feedbunk, this method of restraint is the most efficient use of time and labor, resulting in the restraint of a group of calves or heifers in a short amount of time, and produces much less stress and frustration on animals and people for vaccinations, breeding, reproductive examinations, and other management activities. These programs are more likely to be accomplished in a timely and consistent manner, resulting in improved health and performance, if they can be done efficiently and conveniently.
