Installing a new gutter chain
After 19 years of heavy work, the metal in our old gutter chain was wearing dangerously thin in places. We ordered a new one from Ingraham Equipment over the summer and it recently arrived. We installed it during harvest break, when our nephews Chase and Hunter were available to help. It took 3 hours from start to finish to remove all the old chain and put the new chain into place. We were done just in time for the cows to come back in the barn for the afternoon milking.
Cows are funny creatures. They all knew something was amiss when they came back in the barn. They didn’t want to go in their stalls. We don’t think they could see the new chain because we threw some sawdust in the gutter after installing the new chain. They must have been able to smell it. Eventually, after a several moments of mass confusion as cows refused to go in their stall and crowded together in the walk, they were able to be convinced that it wasn’t the end of the world after all. 
Vaughn and Chase work to remove old pieces while Lewis drags a new length of chain into place.
We are hoping that replacing a worn gutter chain now might save us some miserable days with a broken gutter in sub zero temperatures this winter. (That would be one of Vaughn’s worst nightmares!) For more pictures from the day (including calves, kids and kitties!) please click here.
A stitch in time saves nine! My wife and I enjoyed reading about replacing the chain and weren’t at all surprised by the cows’ reaction to the “change” in their world — sheep are just as good at picking up anything new.
I myself had never heard of (or noticed) a “gutter chain” and wasn’t 100% clear on how they work. Meanwhile, Pam was incredulous that I could be THAT ignorant …of course, that happens a lot! LOL