West Coast Stabling vs. East Rock Headlocks: What’s Best?

For BC dairy farmers building a new barn or upgrading an existing feed front, choosing the right headlock system is an important decision. West Coast Robotics offers multiple options.

Both West Coast Stabling and East Rock offer Canadian-designed solutions, but there are some meaningful differences to consider.

West Coast Stabling: Simple, Durable and Quiet

West Coast Stabling feed fronts are designed in Canada and are available in 10 and 12 foot sections, with options for heifers and mature cows. A key feature is the use of durable plastic contact points, helping reduce noise when cows enter and exit the headlocks.

For a BC dairy farmer, the appeal is straightforward: a durable, relatively simple system that is easy to integrate into a new or existing barn while providing reliable cow restraint.

East Rock: More Configuration Options

East Rock offers a broader range of headlock configurations, including Standard, Heavy Duty, Curved Opening and Wide Opening models. Features include noise-reducing bumpers, quick release, panic release and individual or group lock-up options.

The Heavy Duty option uses substantially larger top and bottom rails and can span up to 20 feet without intermediate posts, which can be valuable when designing a large, open feed lane.

Which Should a BC Dairy Farmer Choose?

The decision ultimately comes down to barn design, herd size, cow comfort, handling requirements and budget.

West Coast Stabling is an attractive choice when simplicity, durability and quiet operation are priorities. East Rock provides more choices when a farmer wants to tailor the headlock system to specific cow groups, feed-lane layouts or handling requirements.

For either system, the goal is the same: comfortable feed access for cows and safe, efficient herd management for farmers.

Reach out to your local WCR Sales Consultant for more information on the best option for you and your cows.