How to Make a Cattle Stanchion Out of Wood

A proper stanchion makes milking safe and easy. The purpose of a milking stanchion is to keep the cow in place while she is being milked. If your cow has little room to move, she is less likely to knock over or step in your bucket of milk. Simple stanchions can be easily made out of wood right in your barn or milking parlor.

Things You'll Need

  • 4-foot long 2̶1;x4̶1; boards (9)
  • 20-1/2 inch long 2"x4" boards (2)
  • 2-1/2 foot long 2"x4" board (1)
  • 2-foot long 2̶1;x4̶1; boards (2)
  • 6-inch long 2̶1;x4̶1; boards (6)
  • 2'x4' of ½-inch thick plywood (1)
  • Nails
  • Hammer
  • Skill saw
  • Wood glue
  • Safety goggles
  • Feed pan
  • 2-foot long rope
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Instructions

  1. Feed Box

    • 1

      Use your skill saw to cut all your lumber into the correct sizes. Be sure to wear your safety goggles while cutting the wood.

    • 2

      Place one of the 4-foot long 2"x4"s on top of the plywood with the 2-inch side touching the plywood.

    • 3

      Line up the 2"x4" along the 4-foot edge of the plywood. Place a line of wood glue between the 2"x4" and the plywood. Turn both pieces of wood over and nail the 2"x4" into place. Repeat this with another 4-foot 2"x4" on the opposite side.

    • 4

      Place a line of wood glue along the 2-inch side of both the 20-½ inch long 2"x4"s. Fit these pieces onto the plywood̵6;s 2-foot side with each end fitting snugly between the 4-foot boards. Nail them in place. This is the base for your feed box.

    • 5

      Turn the feed box face down. Nail a 6-inch long 2"x4" to the four corners of the feed box to form legs.
      Nail two more 6-inch boards in the middle of the 4-foot sides to give your feed box more stability and six legs.

    Head Stall

    • 6

      Turn your feed box right side up with the 4-foot side facing you. To frame the head stall line up a 4-foot 2"x4" with the right leg of the feed box. Nail the board into place. Repeat with the left side. Nail another 2"x4" across the top attaching the two boards together. This is your basic frame.

    • 7

      To add stability nail another 2"x4" 1 foot from the edge on each side of the frame. These are your center frame boards. This leaves roughly a 2-foot gap for your cow's head to fit through.

    • 8

      Measure 1 foot above the base of the feed box. Nail a 4-foot 2"x4" lengthwise across the frame of the head stall to make a cross board.

    • 9

      Measure 1 and a half feet above your cross board. Mark the center frame boards at this point. Take your 2-½ foot 2"x4" and position it lengthwise across the center frame boards. Nail the right side only to the center frame board with only one nail. Using one nail will allow this board to move. This will be your head locking board. On the left side drive two nails into the center frame board 2 inches apart. This will provide a rest for your head lock. Rest the head lock board on the two nails.

    • 10

      Place the feed pan in the feed box and fill it with grain. Lift the locking board out of the cow's way. Your cow will stick her head into the stanchion to eat the feed. Lower the locking board into place and use the rope to fasten it down. You are now ready to milk.