Homemade Goat Stanchion

Goat stanchions are necessary if you are farming goats.

Whether you own one goat or hundred, goat stanchions are important pieces of equipment for every goat owner. A stanchion is a device which holds the head of the goat while milking and doing routine health care such as injections or clipping. Holding the goat steady provides safety for both the goat and the goat owner. Before using your stanchion for practical purposes, allow the goat to eat from a feeding trough attached to the front so they will be comfortable and calm about going into the stanchion.

Things You'll Need

• 2 pieces of 1-by-12 boards, 44 inches long
• Jigsaw
• Ruler or tape measure
• Screwdriver
• 1 1-by-4 board, 23 inches long
• 1½-inch wood screws
• 2 8-inch L-Brackets
• 2 1-by-12, 48 inches long
• 2 2-by-4, 24 inches long
• 1 1-by-8, 36 inches long
• 2 1-by-6, 23 inches long
• 4 2-by-4, 10 1/2 inches long
• 1 6-inch piece of light chain
• 1 screw eye and hook
• 1 2-by-4, 36 inches long and cut at a 45 degree angle on each end

Instructions

1. Lay the two 44-inch 1-by-12 boards on each other so that the pieces are aligned top to bottom.

2. Cut an elongated hole with a jigsaw starting at 19 inches from the bottom of the 1-by-12 boards. The hole should go through both pieces and end at 39 inches. If you do not own a jigsaw, this can be done at the lumber yard. The purpose of this is for trimming the goat's horns, hence the reason for two symmetrical holes. The hole will help keep the goat still as you trim its horns.

3. Lay the two 44-inch 1-by-12 boards side by side evenly. Using the screwdriver, screw on the 23-inch long 1-by-4 board on top of the 1-by-12s. This will be the top connector flush.

4. Attach the L-bracket with the longer side attaching to what will be the inside edge of each 1-by-12 using 1½-inch screws. Put the front aside for now as you will begin at the bottom.

5. Position the two 48-inch 1-by-12s next to one another so that they are aligned.

6. Place the two 24-inch 2-by-4 boards used as the slide support 6 inches down from the top of the two boards for the bottom. Use twelve 1½-inch screws evenly spaced to screw down the slide support flush with the outside of the bottom. Attach the slide support across the bottom, lined up evenly with the slide support.

7. Screw the leg supports to the slide supports using 6 1½-inch screws in each leg support. Attach the legs on all four corners of the bottom using two 1½-inch screws on the bottom of the leg and two on the side.

8. Attach the front to the floor by positioning the L-brackets side not attached yet to the floor. Attach the screw eye to the right side under the hole made in Step 2. Attach the chain to the screw eye and attach the screw hook to the left of the eye so that the chain can be fastened lightly.

9. Attach the 36-inch long piece of wood diagonally from the bottom measuring 6 inches in to the front, 12 inches down. Use three 1½-inch screws on the top and three on the bottom of the brace.

Tips & Warnings

• Getting the wood pre-cut from the lumber yard is a real time saver and you do not have to own the costly equipment needed.

• Be sure that the goat cannot wiggle free by testing the stanchion in a stress free atmosphere.

References

• Mother Earth News: How to Make a Goat Stanchion
• Day Mix: Goat Milking Stanchion