Frequently Asked Questions

• Can the sort order of the cows, sires and calves be changed?
  
  
• How do I find my herd in the program?
  
  
• Where do I enter Yearling data?
  
  
• Is there a proper procedure that should be followed when inputting CHAPS information?
  
  
• How can I make a backup of my CHAPS data?
  
  
• How can I export my CHAPS data?
  
  
• How do I unzip and install a file received by E-mail or on disk?
  
  
• How do I unzip a self-extracting file received by E-mail or on disk?
  
  
• What procedure do I follow to copy my data?
  
  
• What is the CHAPS date format?
  MM/DD/YYYY
  
  
• What are the CHAPS Management Codes for calves and what do they mean?
  
  

  0 = No management code	F = Purchased foster calf
  1-7 = Month(s) calves actually consumed creep feed	G = Cow died
  8-9 = Miscellaneous private codes	K = Non-purchased foster calf - twin calf
  A = Cow did not calve	(F and K codes account for dead calves)
  B = Cow aborted	R = Cow sold for replacement
  C = Calf died before two weeks of age	N = Calf raised on nurse cow
  D = Calf died after two weeks but before weaning	S = Twin, raised on own dam as a single
  E = Embryo transplant calf	T = Twin, raised on own dam as a twin
  	X = Calf has incomplete record or no weight

  
  
  
• What are the Management Codes for Cull Cows and what do they mean?                      
  
  

  COW CULLING CODES

  G = COW DIED

  H = COW SOLD - AGE

  J = COW SOLD - PHYSICAL DEFECT (SICK)

  K = COW SOLD - POOR FERTILITY OR OPEN

  L= COW SOLD - INFERIOR CALVES (POOR PRODUCER)

  R = COW SOLD - REPLACEMENT STOCK

  Y=UNKNOWN

  
  
• What Form and Report can I preview to verify my CHAPS data entries?
  
  Blank Input Form –Calves, place a checkmark in the “Include data Box”, reset the dates, and preview or print the forms for verification of data.
  
  Lifetime Progeny Report –Weaning, select only “active” cows in your herd, preview or print the report.  When checking the active cows on this report, be sure that each cow has a record for the production year you are entering data.  If there is no calving record for the year you will need to update you calf files with the current calving data for that specific cow.
  
  
• How do I enter my Replacement Heifers?
  
  Click on File>Open>Cows>Add.  In the “Calf ID at Birth” field, double click, a small screen will activate a list of all calves within a specific date.  Choose the Calf that will be a Replacement Heifer.  The breed, birthdate, dam of calf and sire of the calf will automatically fill in the fields.  You must assign a Permanent Cow ID to that calf and “Save”.
  
  
• Why does a new Cow appear on the screen as a 1 Year old?
  When entering a calf record to a purchased or new cow in the database, you must enter the age of the cow on the calf screen.  You will only have to adjust the age of the cow once.  Each calf record entered with that cow will automatically increase its age by one year.
  
  
• Where is my CHAPS file stored on my computer? 
   
  Your chaps.mdb file is stored in C:\ProgramFiles\CHAPS folder.
  
  If you have multiple herds on your computer you may have separate folders for each herd.  If this is the case your chaps.mdb file will be found in these folders.
  
  
• When do I click on the “Apply” button?
  
  The “Apply” button found on CHAPS screens must be clicked when you are calculating data.  Such as: Frame Score, Yearling Adj Wt Ratios.
  
  
• What is the “Default” button used for?
  The “Default” button on the screens are used to bring previously entered data into the screen you are entering data into.  Such as: previous weights and dates.
  
  
• How can I find my chaps.mdb file on my computer?
  
  To locate your chaps.mdb file on your computer, Right Click on the “Start” option lower left hand corner of your “Windows” screen.  Click on “Explorer”.
  
  Double click on My Computer, click on Local Disk C. Locate the “Program Files” folder, double click.  Locate the “CHAPS” folder, double click to open this folder and your chaps.mdb file will be found on the right hand side of your screen.  It will have a Red Key icon in front of the label.