Cow lifting/support slings

[JVM]

What is the best support sling for lifting and/or supporting downer cows?

JVM

 

[som farmer]

we use the ones that go the pins

might not be the best, but easy to use, and cows don't always go down, in the easiest of places to get to them.

 

[JVM]

we use the ones that go the pins

might not be the best, but easy to use, and cows don't always go down, in the easiest of places to get to them.

Thanks som farmer. Ah, yes, good point about being easiest to use and not always being the easiest place to get to them.

JV

 

[AftonShepherd]

The ones that go over the pins are definitely easiest and work well if the cow has a bit of go about her. Problem we have is if a cow has almost given up then it's hard to get them up on the front end.

I bought a sling from (I think Spaldings but would need to check) which gives whole body support but it's an absolute faff to get on the cow even with two folk

 

[Hard Graft]

Got this for the shelf not used it yet thankfully

hip lifter are far nice to use and work with from an operator perspective but on Heavy beef they are useless

Idea is I can leave it on a animal for a day or two by tieing it together with bungee cords unlike the solid canvas ones what would not breath and cause a lot off sweating

 

[organicguy]

Got a webbing one, similar to the shoof above but straps hang from a central point. Needs 2 to put on but can leave cow supported in air to stretch legs.

 

[Hard Graft]

Got a webbing one, similar to the shoof above but straps hang from a central point. Needs 2 to put on but can leave cow supported in air to stretch legs.

What one is that

 

[Flatlander]

My dad made one out of a one tin bag. He cut holes for the legs and had two poles that ran down either side to support everything. Then he would tie it to pallet forks and lift the cows up. Facing forward they could take a few steps once the feeling came back in thier legs Not easy to put on but worked good.

 

[organicguy]

What one is that

Don't know the brand

 

[JVM]

The ones that go over the pins are definitely easiest and work well if the cow has a bit of go about her. Problem we have is if a cow has almost given up then it's hard to get them up on the front end.

I bought a sling from (I think Spaldings but would need to check) which gives whole body support but it's an absolute faff to get on the cow even with two folk

The problem of getting the cow into a sling is exactly the problem I had envisaged, thus my question.

JVM

 

[JVM]

Got this for the shelf not used it yet thankfully

hip lifter are far nice to use and work with from an operator perspective but on Heavy beef they are useless

Idea is I can leave it on a animal for a day or two by tieing it together with bungee cords unlike the solid canvas ones what would not breath and cause a lot off sweating

Thanks Hard Graft; the picture is very helpful. We can buy Shoof products here so I'll enquire.

JVM

 

[SJamieson]

Do pin bones ones still work if the cow has a fair fat cover?

 

[Pan mixer]

Do pin bones ones still work if the cow has a fair fat cover?

That is my problem with my Angus cows who (according to them) are constantly starving to death but have no visible pin bones.

 

[SJamieson]

That is my problem with my Angus cows who (according to them) are constantly starving to death but have no visible pin bones.

Similar grumbles from my Stabilisers.

 

[Pan mixer]

Out in the field you can very gently lift the cow up enough to get a sling under by putting the forklft tines under her - in the soil a bit.

 

[Hard Graft]

Do pin bones ones still work if the cow has a fair fat cover?

Not that well unfortunately

 

[JVM]

Out in the field you can very gently lift the cow up enough to get a sling under by putting the forklft tines under her - in the soil a bit.

Thanks Pan mixer. Good idea