Sample Designs of Cattle Races and Corrals
Revised July 2011
Why does a curved chute and round crowd pen work better than a straight one?
- As the animals go around the curve, they think they are going back to
where they came from.
- The animals can not see people and other moving objects at the end of
the chute.
- It takes advantage of the natural circling behaviour of cattle and
sheep.
 |
Right and wrong layout for Cattle. This diagram shows both
the right and wrong layout for a curved race system. If the single file
race is bent too sharply where it joins the crowd pen the cattle may
refuse to enter because it looks like a dead end. Cattle standing in the
round crowd pen must be able to see a minimum of three body lengths up the
single file chute before the curve begins. |
| Right and wrong layout for Pigs This diagram shows both
the right and wrong layout for pigs. If the single file race is bent too
sharply where it joins the crowd pen, the pigs may refuse to enter. The
pigs must be able to see a minimum of three body lengths up the race
before it bends. |
 |
Design Recommendations
- The round crowd pen will work most efficiently if it is a full half circle, 180 degrees. A full half circle takes advantage of the natural tendency of cattle to go back to where they came from. For cattle, the crowd pen should have a 12 ft (3.5 m) radius. A shorter radius can be used for pigs and sheep.
- A single file chute (race) will be very efficient if it has a single 180 degree or 90 degree curve. Multiple curves do not improve efficiency. The serpentine design with 2 180 degree curves should only be used in places where space is restricted. If there is sufficient space, a single 180 degree or 90 degree curve is recommended. It is a mistake to design many multiple curves into the single file race. Refer to drawings in the this website for more information.
- Never build a crowd pen on a ramp. If a ramp is required, it should be in the single file chute (race). Cattle and pigs will pile up if a crowd pen is built on a ramp.
- Install solid shields so that approaching animals do NOT see the people up ahead.
Recommended lengths of single file races for cattle
| Facility Type |
Line Speed |
Minimum length |
Maximum length |
| Cattle Ranch and Properties |
N/A |
40 ft (12.2 m) |
75 ft (23 m) |
| Cattle Slaughter Plants |
Under 100/hour |
40 ft (12.2 m) |
75 ft (23 m) |
| Cattle Slaughter Plants |
100 to 400/hour |
80 ft (25 m) |
200 ft (60 m) |
Recommended lengths of single file races for pigs and sheep
If pigs are handled in groups in a gas stunning system, no race is needed.
Loose shackle systems where pigs can be batched on the bleed rail can operate efficiently with shorter races than systems that have to operate with a continuous flow.
Continuous flow systems with shackles attached to a chain conveyor for pigs or sheep:
- 0 to 100 animals per hour - 10 ft (3 m) to 25 ft (7.6 m)
- 100 or more animals per hour - 25 ft (7.6 m) to 50 ft (15 m)
More information and step by step instructions for building curved livestock handling facilities is in the book, Humane Livestock Handling, by Temple Grandin and Mark Deesing, published by Storey Publishing, North Adams, MA, USA.
- Cattle Layouts
- Pig Layouts
- Cattle Layouts
- Buffalo (Bison) Layouts
- Pig Layouts
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