Scratching posts for cows mandatory in some countries
By Judy Evans
@JudyEv (339496)
Rockingham, Australia
November 15, 2018 8:48am CST
I saw a video clip the other day of dairy cows grooming themselves with mechanical brushes which were installed in their pens. Most animals enjoy having a good scratch and will use trees, fence posts or just the ground to relieve an itch. However cattle that are confined to a barn are often unable to enjoy the luxury of a good old scratch.
In my photo, taken in Innsbruck Zoo, you can see that two scrubbing brushes have been set up for the cows. These look like they would work well. However brushes can now be purchased which look like the small bristled rollers that you might see in a car wash. When the animal starts pushing against the brush it starts rolling. There are several YouTube clips of cows really enjoying the massaging/brushing sensation of the brushes.
Researchers at the University of British Columbia say the cows spent an average of seven minutes a day utilising the brush and were willing to push through a weighted barrier to gain access to it.
And it seems providing cows with the wherewithal to promote coat care is mandatory in some countries so I was a bit surprised to read that.
A study from the animal welfare program at the University of British Columbia found dairy cows want to use a scratching brush just as much as they want to access fresh feed
13 people like this
14 responses
@JohnRoberts (109846)
• Los Angeles, California
15 Nov 18
When there is an itch, it needs to be scratched!
2 people like this
@moffittjc (121548)
• Gainesville, Florida
15 Nov 18
I've seen a lot of dairy farms here in the US, and even some open cow pastures, that have the brushes set up for the cows. The ones I see the most are the bristled rollers like your described above. A happy cow is a healthy cow! And a healthy cow produces better quality milk and meat!
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (121548)
• Gainesville, Florida
15 Nov 18
@JudyEv I think I need one for myself!
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (339496)
• Rockingham, Australia
16 Nov 18
@moffittjc Vince often backs up to a door frame to scratch his back.
1 person likes this
@1hopefulman (45120)
• Canada
16 Nov 18
We get milk, cheese and even meat from them, the least we can do is make them comfortable.
1 person likes this
@1hopefulman (45120)
• Canada
16 Nov 18
@JudyEv Yes, we should be kind to our animals.
1 person likes this
@sunrisefan (28524)
• Philippines
16 Nov 18
Amusing but very brilliant invention :)
1 person likes this
@ilocosboy (45156)
• Philippines
16 Nov 18
Well I'm so much agree with this just we giving good grooming to our pet dogs.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (339496)
• Rockingham, Australia
16 Nov 18
The cows really enjoy the chance to have a good scratch.
@ilocosboy (45156)
• Philippines
16 Nov 18
I think even dogs like a soft scratch.
1 person likes this
@allknowing (136071)
• India
15 Nov 18
Not just cows most animals enjoy scratching themselves. Preiti does that by rolling on the rough pavement in our garden although she is brushed everyday.
1 person likes this
@wolfgirl569 (105945)
• Marion, Ohio
15 Nov 18
Most animals love a good scratching.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (339496)
• Rockingham, Australia
15 Nov 18
They do indeed. Herc liked a gentle scratch around his ears and would just about drift off to sleep.
@acelawrites (19272)
• Philippines
15 Nov 18
I didn't know that they really need those brushes for scratching, but I observe some cows rubbing their body against a tree trunk or a post. Those brushes are good; but not the rollers.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (339496)
• Rockingham, Australia
16 Nov 18
The cows seem to like the rollers. Did you watch any of the clips?
@JudyEv (339496)
• Rockingham, Australia
17 Nov 18
Vince often backs up to a doorway to scratch his back.