Handy New Tool in use at Bending Tree Ranch

In September 2011 I wrote an article “Protein Tubs and Goats.” You can read the complete article at the following link http://tennesseemeatgoats.com/MeatGoatMania/September2011/meatgoatmaniasep.html. I usually buy the 200lb all-natural “cooked” cattle tubs for use with my goats as it is more economical for me to do so. The only problem I have run into with using these larger tubs is that as the goats lick them down the shorter goats have trouble getting to the contents. Even the larger goats have trouble cleaning up the bottom of the tubs. They end up putting their front feet in so they can get to it and in the process make a huge mess of the tubs, tracking in grass, manure, etc.

The brand of tubs I use went to a taller, more brittle plastic which makes the empty tubs of little use to me around the ranch empty. Trash service won’t haul them off. I decided I needed to come up with some way of cutting these tubs which would allow the goat’s access to the contents at all levels as they licked it down.

I found this Black & Decker 12v PIRANHA tool that is powered by Lithium™ battery. It sliced through the tubs with ease. I had originally thought I would cut around the tubs as the level decreased but this tool was so much fun to use I decided to make oval cut-outs around the tubs. I highly recommend this as a “must have” around the ranch.

Pat Cotten 2013
Bending Tree Ranch
www.bendingtreeranch.com