GB2220836A - Livestock restraint - Google Patents

Abstract

A livestock restraint comprises a rearwardly inclined dorsal support member provided at its lower end with hindquarter support means and having spaced foreleg retaining means each for temporarily retaining the legs of an animal of a particular size. The restraint is pivotable forwardly to release an animal. <IMAGE>

Description

LIVESTOCK RESTRAINT The invention relates generally to means for restraining animals, and more particularly, to means for supporting and restraining medium-sized livestock such as lambs.

During the first years of the lambs life it is often necessary for the farmer or veterinary surgeon to perform routine examinations, or carry out vaccination or other procedures such as oral drenching. As the flock may consist of hundreds of lambs, all of which must be treated, it is desirable to provide a quick and simple means of restraining the animals in a position which facilitates inspection and treatment by the farmer or vet, and which also causes minimum discomfort for the animals.

Vaccination is generally carried out by injecting into the inside leg region of the animal. Access to this area is most readily provided by lying the animal on its back. This position is also suitable for inspecting the underparts of the animal and performing oral drenching and other similar procedures.

According to the invention there is provided means for supporting and restraining livestock comprising a rearwardly inclined elongate dorsal support member provided with hindquarter support means at its lower end and retaining means spaced from the hindquarter support means and operable in use releasably to retain an animal adjacent said dorsal support member.

The lower end of the restraint means can be detachably mounted to a convenient structure, the restraint means being rotatable about a vertical axis through its lower end, and forwardly rotatable from its usual position of support.

In order that the invention may be better understood an embodiment thereof will be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a livestock restraint means according to the invention; Figure 2 is a side view of the livestock restraint of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a view in the direction of A in Figure 2, with the foreleg retaining members removed; Figure 4 is a view in the direction of B in Figure 2; Figure 5 shows the livestock restraint of Figure 1 with a lamb in position; Figure 6 shows the livestock restraint of Figure 1 in its forwardly rotated position having released the lamb; Figure 7 is a side view of a modified form of livestock restraint means according to the invention.

Referring to Figures 1 and 2, 1 is a dorsal support member which is attached at one end to a plate 2. The plate 2 is connected to a second plate 2' by a hinge 3. Attached to the second plate 2' is a tubular leg 4. The dorsal support member 1 and the tubular leg 4 are arranged so that when the leg 4 is fixed in a vertical position, the dorsal support member is at an angle of appXoximately 450 to the vertical.

A handle 5 is fixed to the rear of the dorsal support member 1 as can be seen in Figures 2 and 3, and is provided to enable the dorsal support member 1 to be manoeuvred easily. The hinge 3 allows the dorsal support member 1 to be tipped forwards, as seen in Figure 6. The restraint is also arranged to be rotatable about the vertical axis of the leg 4. In the present embodiment it is assumed that the restraint will be mounted in a hollow post so that the whole device can swivel. However, it is also possible to attach the leg 4 to the plate 2' by means of a rotatable connection so that the plate 2' rotates whilst the leg 4 remains stationary.

Towards the end of the dorsal support member 1 which is attached to the plate 2 is provided a hindquarters support 6. This consists of two generally Ushaped frame sections 7, 7' which are fixed to the dorsal support member 1 to form a U or V-shaped structure as can be seen in Fig. 4. Integrally formed with these frame sections 7, 7' is a cross-piece 8, and a central portion 9 which is inclined forwardly and upwardly from the horizontal when the restraint is in its usual position. The hind-quarters support 6 provides a "seat" on which the lamb is supported when in position in the restraint.

In order to retain the forelegs of the animal several pairs of foreleg retaining members 10 are provided at intervals along the length of the dorsal support member 1. Each retaining member 10 consists of an elongate portion 11 and a hook portion 12 as can be seen in Fig. 1. The retaining members are attached to the rear of the dorsal support member 1 in pairs so that each pair forms a V-shape. The pairs of retaining members 10 increase in size, the length of the elongate portions increasing, towards the upper end of the dorsal support member 1. This enables different sizes of lamb to be accommodated, as will be explained below.

To use the restraint the tubular leg 4 is fixed in a vertical position to a convenient structure such as a fence or hurdle, and at a height convenient for the operator. As previously explained, in the present embodiment the leg is inserted into a hollow hurdle post. However, the support means could also be attached by any known fixing means such as, for example, a clamp. With the hinge 3 in its closed position the dorsal support means 1 will be at about 450 to the vertical, although this is not essential to the invention, and the device can be designed so that the angle of inclination is any suitable size.

The lamb to be inspected or .treated is lifted from the ground and placed in the restraint in the position shown in Fig. 5. The hind legs of the lamb are placed one at either side of the central portion 9 of the hind-quarters support frame, and its rear end rests between the frame sections 7, 7' on the crosspiece 8. The forelegs of the lamb are positioned in the hook portions 12 of one pair of the retaining members 10. The pair of retaining members 10 which is used will depend on the size of the lamb, and the length of its back.

The lamb is immobilised in this position and can easily be examined, injected, etc. The restraint can be rotated about its vertical axis so that the animal is in the best possible orientation for the procedure to be carried out. For example, if the animal is to be orally drenched, the device can be rotated so that the head of the lamb is closest to the operator thus avoiding the need to reach over the outstretched rear legs of the animal.

Once the examination is finished the forelegs of the lamb are released and using the handle the restraint is tipped forwards about the hinge 3, as shown in Figure 6, allowing the lamb to fall forwards out of the restraint onto the ground, or onto a raised platform which can be provided to reduce the height of the fall, especially if the lamb is small.

The restraint can be made from any suitably strong, rigid material such as tubular steel, galvanised iron or a rigid plastics material. In the embodiment described, the foreleg retaining members 10 are made from tubular steel and covered with PVC tubing to protect the animal's forelegs. The foreleg retaining members 10 are shown as being connected directly to the dorsal support member 1. Alternatively, as shown in Figure 7, the foreleg retaining members 10 could be fixed to twin spaced secondary support members 12 each attached at both ends to the dorsal support member 1. The secondary support members are upwardly divergent and the foreleg retaining members 10 are of substantially equal length.

In another embodiment, the foreleg retaining members could be replaced or supplemented by a quick release strap which holds the animal against the dorsal support member.

The hindquarters support 6 and the foreleg retaining members 10 have been described as being attached to the dorsal support member 1. According to the type of material used to make the restraint these three elements can be formed as an integral unit.

It will be appreciated that whilst the invention has been described as being used for the inspection of lambs, the invention can be adapted for use with other animals, for instance calves, goats etc. It could also be used for pets such as cats and dogs.

Claims (8)

Claims

1. A livestock restraint for supporting and restraining livestock, comprising a rearwardly inclined elongate dorsal support member provided with hindquarter support means at its lower end and retaining means spaced from said hindquarter support means and operable in use releasably to retain an animal adjacent said dorsal support member.

2. A livestock restraint according to Claim 1, wherein said retaining means comprises a plurality of foreleg retaining members spaced along its length.

3. A livestock restraint according to Claim 2, wherein said foreleg retaining members comprise a plurality of spaced pairs of outwardly directed hooked retaining bars.

4. A livestock restraint according to any preceding claim, wherein said hindquarter support means is generally of U or V-shape with a central crotch piece.

5. A livestock restraint according to any preceding claim which is rotatable in use about a generally vertical axis.

6. A livestock restraint according to any preceding claim which is tiltable in use about a generally horizontal axis between a support position and an unloaded position.

7. A livestock restraint according to any preceding claim, wherein said dorsal support member is inclined at an angle between 30 and 600, and preferably about 450, to the horizontal.

8. A livestock restraint substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, and as illustrated in, any of the accompanying drawings.