This is the upgraded crate from Condon Engineering, an established Irish manufacturer of cattle and calf handling equipment. It’s designed to hold the calf securely in an immobile position so the operator can carry out dehorning or disbudding safely and efficiently, with minimal stress to the animal.
The ratchet-operated push-up anti-backing bar and ratchet belly band work together to keep the calf firmly in place and prevent it from reversing or shifting during the procedure. At the head end, a nose band and spring-loaded head locking bar hold the animal’s head steady, which is the critical bit – you need the head completely still to dehorn cleanly and safely. Once the job’s done, the quick release front door lets you get the calf out quickly and calmly.
The crate is fitted with wheels so you can move it around the yard or between pens without any hassle. Internal dimensions are 1,070mm long by 345mm wide by 860mm high, which is sized for calves at the typical disbudding age.
Why Choose This New Dehorning Crate Over a Standard Model?
The main difference between this and the standard Condon crate is the ratchet belly band and the upgraded anti-backing mechanism. On the standard model you’re relying on simpler restraints, whereas the deluxe gives you more precise, ratchet-controlled adjustments. If you’re doing a lot of calves in one session, that extra control saves time and reduces the chance of an animal getting loose mid-procedure.
Condon Engineering have been making livestock handling equipment for years and their dehorning crates are widely used across farms in the UK and Ireland. It’s a solid, well-built bit of kit that does exactly what it needs to.
At £995 + VAT for a new dehorning crate at this spec level, the pricing is competitive against other deluxe models on the market. Finance options are available through The Commercial Trader.
