A Dedicated Working Area for Cow and Calf Care
The Sioux Steel Calving Pen Care Center combines an auto headgate, squeeze gate, nursing panel and steel anchor mat in a single working enclosure. It gives producers access around the animal for calving assistance, nursing and routine livestock care, with swing gates on all four sides.
The headgate and squeeze gate help position the animal, while the flip-up panels provide access without opening an entire side gate. The system is designed to support controlled handling; its performance depends on appropriate setup, adjustment and operation for the animal being worked.
Dimensions and Construction
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Product | Sioux Steel Calving Pen Care Center |
| Complete system | S15503HD, with auto headgate and anchor mat |
| Listed complete weight | 1,094 pounds |
| Overall assembled height | 83 inches |
| Holding-pen configuration | 10 × 10 feet when the squeeze gate is moved out of the way |
| Gate and panel construction | 16-gauge, 50,000 PSI high-tensile steel tubing |
| Side access | In-and-out swing gates on all four sides |
| Anchor mat | Reinforced steel mat included; attaches to the frame |
What Is Included
| Quantity | Component |
|---|---|
| 1 | 10-foot headgate panel |
| 1 | Auto headgate |
| 1 | Steel anchor mat |
| 2 | 10-foot standard panels |
| 1 | 10-foot nursing panel |
| 1 | 7-foot squeeze gate |
| 1 set | Squeeze-gate ratchet latch and mounting components |
| 8 | Panel connector clips |
The complete package includes the auto headgate and anchor mat. The mat attaches to the frame and is designed to help stabilize the headgate and pen when cattle stand on it. Match the complete setup to the site and use conditions rather than relying on the mat alone to prevent all movement.
Quick, Straightforward Assembly
Slip-in connector clips simplify joining the panel framework. Assembly is generally quick and straightforward, usually taking 30 minutes or less in a prepared work area with the components ready. Follow the assembly sequence, secure the required hardware and check the gate and latch operation before use.
The clips simplify the panel connections, but other parts of the system still use fastening hardware. Allow suitable handling support for the heavy panels and a level working surface when laying out the enclosure.
Calving Pen Demonstration Video
Calving Pen and Included Headgate Pictures
Slip-In Panel Connector
Eight connector clips are listed with the system. These join the framework ends and are different from the squeeze-gate ratchet latch components.
Access Panels and Squeeze-Gate Control
The squeeze gate closes toward the outside panel, and its ratchet latch allows adjustment in increments. It can swing out of the working area when the pen is being used as a holding enclosure. Check that the latch and release operate correctly as part of routine setup and inspection.
Inside and outside flip-up panel sections provide access for nursing, calving assistance and veterinary work. Secure each panel in its intended position before working through the opening. The swing gates and access panels let the operator choose an appropriate approach for the task and the animal.
Flip-Up Nursing Panel
Squeeze-Gate Ratchet Latch
For replacement latch components, see the calving pen squeeze-gate latch package. This is the latch package, not the panel connector clips.
Maternity Access Panel
Planning Your Calving Area
Allow room around the pen for gates to swing, handlers to reach the controls and cattle to enter and leave. Plan the enclosure location around your existing alley, barn access and animal flow rather than the holding footprint alone.
Inspect the headgate, squeeze gate, panel connections and anchor mat before use and during routine maintenance. Check fit and adjustment for the cattle being handled, and keep the working area clear. These features assist with handling but do not guarantee an injury-free or stress-free outcome.
Compare other calving pens and cattle tubs, or contact Barn World with your layout, required configuration and delivery location for a quote.
How a Calving Pen Helps with Cow and Calf Care
A dedicated calving pen brings restraint and access together in one working area. Instead of trying to reach a cow through ordinary corral rails, the handler can use the headgate and squeeze gate to position her, then open the appropriate access panel for the task. This makes the enclosure useful during calving season and for other individual-animal care.
How the Headgate and Squeeze Gate Work Together
The auto headgate controls the cow's position at the front of the pen. The squeeze gate moves toward the outside panel, with a ratchet latch that allows adjustment in increments. Together, these components help limit movement while leaving access to the animal. Adjustment should suit the individual cow and the work being performed.
Access for Nursing and Calving Assistance
Flip-up sections in the inside and outside panels open a working area along the cow's side. For a calf that needs help finding the udder, this access can make supervised nursing assistance more practical. The openings also provide access for calving assistance and veterinary tasks while the remaining panels stay in position.
Useful Beyond Calving Season
- Individual attention: Bring a cow into a dedicated area for examination or care rather than working within a group.
- Temporary holding: Swing the squeeze gate out of the way to use the 10-by-10-foot holding configuration for a sick or injured animal.
- Flexible access: Use the gates on all four sides to plan entry, exit and handler access around your facility.
For cattle operations that need both a maternity working area and an individual holding pen, this combination offers more flexibility than a simple enclosure. Allow clearance for the gates and working space around the cow when deciding where to place it.