To remedy this, I purchased a used cow catch just north of Lynchburg, Va (about an hour and a half from home) and had installed it on some 4×6’s set in cement. I created an offshoot from my main chute but was never sure it would work. Today, it worked like a champ!
Yesterday, I noticed that my bull calf was limping. He was basically not putting any weight on his back, right hoof. Once I got closer, I realized he had a piece of wire wrapped around his leg, just about the ankle. He weighs around 400 lbs, so now was the time to put the cow catch to the test. Plus, my hay guy had offered to help me put a band around his genitals.
The Lord truly blessed me today, as I was able to isolate the calf, get him into the catch-chute and actually secure him in the catch. I eased a piece of rope around his leg with a slip knot and, with the help of a couple of folks, was able to pull it back off the ground and secure it to a post. This allowed us to cut the wire and free him from his problem. We also had to cut his genitals out and wash it with iodine.
In the end, he walked off looking better than ever. I’ll have to monitor him for a few days, but one more adventure down on the farm!