Oct 4, 2026News & Insights
Chain for Livestock and Farm Use: Tethers, Stalls and Fencing
A farm uses plain commercial chain for tethers, stall fittings and fencing. What that chain is, how it is finished, and why it stays out of any lifting job.
A working farm uses a lot of plain chain, and almost none of it is lifting chain. It holds a tether at a stall, ties a gate, links a fence panel, or takes a general securing job around the yard. This is commercial chain, chosen for strength and how well it stands up outdoors rather than for a lifting grade.
What Farm Chain Is
The everyday farm chain is mild steel medium link chain, widely called cow chain. It is a general purpose chain in low carbon steel, made in the common commercial medium link form, and finished zinc plated. It is a commercial product rather than a grade-marked lifting chain, which makes it a practical choice for the many small jobs around a farm. The way chain standards are named is worth knowing, because the name on a chain tells you what the chain actually is.
Where It Is Used
Farm chain covers the jobs that need a strong, plain link: livestock tethers and stall fittings, fencing, gates and general farm work, and everyday securing. In all of these the chain works in tension or as a tie, and the fittings - hooks, shackles and the like - carry the load with it.
Choosing the Chain and Fittings
Two things decide the choice. Match the chain size to the load it has to hold, and where the job carries a real load, use fittings rated for it. Then the finish: zinc plated is the standard finish on this cow chain, and where a chain stays wet or in slurry, a hot dip galvanized finish lasts longer. For general purpose or transport work, a passing link chain is another plain commercial option. Tell us the chain diameter and the length or weight you need, and cut lengths and hooks can be quoted.
Corrosion and Care
Farm chain lives outdoors, in damp and often in slurry, so rust is its main enemy. Zinc plating slows corrosion; where corrosion is heavy, galvanizing lasts longer. Check tethers, gates and fences routinely, and replace a chain that is worn or rusted through rather than relying on a weakened link.
Safety: Not a Lifting Chain
One rule matters above the rest. Plain commercial chain is not a lifting product: it is a general purpose and securing chain, not a grade-marked lifting chain. Overhead lifting requires chain made and marked for it, such as grade 80 or grade 100 lifting chain with matched fittings. Never weld, heat or repair a farm chain to bring it back into service, and keep hobby or farm chain out of any lifting job.
Frequently Asked Questions
What chain is used on a farm?
Day to day, plain commercial chain such as mild steel medium link chain, often called cow chain. It is used for livestock tethers, stall fittings, fencing, gates and general securing, and it is chosen for strength and outdoor life rather than for a lifting grade.
Can farm chain be used for lifting?
No. Commercial farm chain is not a lifting product. Any overhead lifting needs grade-marked lifting chain such as grade 80 or grade 100, with fittings rated to match.
How do I stop a farm chain rusting?
Choose a zinc plated chain as the default, and a hot dip galvanized one where the chain stays wet or in slurry. Keep it clear of standing water, check it as part of the routine, and replace it when it is worn or rusted rather than patching it.
Boyuan Metal supplies mild steel medium link chain and other commercial chains for farm and general purpose use, in zinc plated and galvanized finishes. Tell us the chain diameter and the length or weight you need, and we will confirm the chain and any fittings.