Alleyway with Palp Cage

An alleyway with a built-in palp cage puts pregnancy checking in the middle of the run instead of at a separate station. Cattle come down the alley, one animal is held in the cage, the check is made, and the gate opens to send her on.

Keeping the cage in the alley means the vet works in the same lane the cattle are already traveling, with no second pen and no extra move. On a big herd that repetition is what sets the pace for the day.

The alley itself is heavy built like the rest of the line, with the cage worked into the side so the opening is where the arm goes and the animal's body is held straight. It is normally ordered alongside the chute and sweep so the whole run is planned as one piece.