Portable Crate for Restraining Small Ruminants

Background
Existing crates for restraining sheep and goats during procedures like semen collection and treatments are primarily stationary and fixed at specific locations, limiting their usability in field conditions. These traditional crates are unsuitable for semen collection as they fail to securely hold the dummy without obstructing the male during mounting for semen donation in an artificial vagina. Additionally, heavy portable crates available are mainly designed for treatments and cannot support efficient semen collection. This limitation poses a significant challenge in collecting semen from elite rams in field conditions, as farmers and technicians must rely on fixed collection stations, leading to logistical inefficiencies. The absence of a portable and adaptable solution hinders widespread semen collection efforts, particularly in remote or rural areas. Further, there is a lack of portable crates for restraining sheep and goat for treating sick animals in field conditions that can be used in mobile veterinary units. There is a pressing need for an innovative and field-friendly design that prioritizes both animal safety and operational efficiency while addressing the unique requirements of semen collection and treatment interventions in sheep and goats.
Technology Details
This innovation introduces a portable, foldable, and customizable crate designed specifically for restraining dummy animals during semen collection and for holding sick animals during treatment interventions in sheep and goats. The crate’s foldable design makes it lightweight and easy to transport, allowing semen collection procedures to be conducted directly in the field or at the farmer’s doorstep, thereby eliminating the need to move elite males to stationary collection centers. Furthermore, the crate can be used for restraining sick sheep and goat for treatment interventions are required for prolonged period like fluid therapy, and the portability feature of the crate makes it convenient to carry in the mobile veterinary units for field application. The crate features adjustable dimensions to accommodate sheep and goats of various sizes and breeds, ensuring a secure and comfortable fit for animals. Its design minimizes excessive movement and stress, enhancing semen donation quality while prioritizing animal welfare. Smooth edges and sturdy construction ensure safety and comfort for both the restrained animals and the males involved in semen collection.

This crate also supports the training of young males for semen donation within their familiar environment, reducing psychological stress and facilitating better acclimatization. Beyond semen collection, the crate is equally effective for restraining small ruminants during medical treatments. Overall, this technology significantly improves the efficiency, safety, and accessibility of reproductive and veterinary procedures in field conditions, especially in remote and rural livestock farming areas.
This innovative solution revolutionizes semen collection and treatment procedures in sheep and goats by introducing a portable, customizable, and foldable crate designed to securely restrain dummy animals as well as sick animals during treatment interventions by enabling on-site operations at any desired location.
Unique Features and Benefits:
1. Field-Based Solution: Enables semen collection directly in the field or at the farmer’s
doorstep, eliminating the need to transport elite males to stationary semen stations reducing physical and psychological stress and improving semen quality. Also useful for restraining sheep and goats during treatments.
2. Customizable and Foldable Design: The crate accommodates dummy animals of various
sizes, ensuring a comfortable and secure fit. Its foldable structure makes it lightweight and easy to transport, enabling convenient operations in remote locations.
3. Customizable Size: Adjustable dimensions accommodate sheep and goats of various sizes, enhancing versatility for different breeds and situations.
4. Animal Welfare and Safety: The design minimizes excessive movement during procedures, ensuring safety for both the dummy and the male used for semen collection and sick animals during treatment. Smooth edges prevent injuries, and the crate’s adaptability prioritizes animal comfort, reducing stress during procedures.
5. Stress-Free Training for Young Males: The invention supports the training of younger
males for semen donation within their familiar environment, minanizing psychological stress and enabling smooth acclimatization to the process.
6. Enhanced Efficiency: By curbing excessive movement and stress, the crate optimizes semen collection and treatment procedures, making them more effective and less time-consuming for farmers and veterinary professionals.
This innovation significantly enhances reproductive efficiency in small ruminants by addressing the logistical, welfare, and efficiency challenges of current semen collection
practices, paving the way for broader genetic improvement initiatives through artificial insemination in sheep and goats.