6 Best Goat Rubbing Posts For Parasite Control Old Farmers Swear By
Discover 6 farmer-approved goat rubbing posts for natural parasite control. These simple, time-tested solutions help keep your herd healthy and itch-free.
You’ve seen it a hundred times: a goat backing up to a fence post, a corner of the barn, or even a sturdy tree, and getting a deep, satisfying scratch. It’s more than just an itch they’re trying to soothe. This instinct is a fundamental part of how they manage their own health, especially when it comes to external parasites. Providing the right tools for the job turns a simple behavior into a powerful, passive pest control strategy for your herd.
Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, this site earns from qualifying purchases. Thank you!
How Rubbing Posts Aid Natural Parasite Control
A good rubbing post is a goat’s best friend for dealing with external pests like lice, mites, and ticks. When a goat rubs, the friction helps to physically dislodge these parasites from their skin and coat. It’s a simple mechanical action, but it’s surprisingly effective, especially for knocking off adult pests before they can lay more eggs.
This isn’t just about scratching. The rubbing action also helps goats shed their thick winter undercoats, which can be a breeding ground for parasites. Removing that dense, dead hair improves air circulation to the skin, creating a less hospitable environment for pests that thrive in warm, moist conditions. A clean coat is a healthy coat.
Think of rubbing posts as one piece of a larger integrated pest management puzzle. They won’t eliminate every single parasite on their own, but they significantly reduce the overall load on your animals. By empowering goats to self-treat, you lower their stress and reduce your reliance on chemical pour-ons and dusts, saving you time and money while promoting a more natural system.
The ScratchnAll Pad: A Versatile Modern Choice
Sometimes a modern solution just works. The ScratchnAll is a durable, flexible rubber pad covered in dozens of sturdy nubs. It’s designed to mimic the feel of a friendly cow’s tongue or a rough tree branch, and goats seem to love it.
The biggest advantage here is versatility. Because the pads are flexible, you can mount them almost anywhere. Wrap one around a corner post where goats naturally like to rub their sides and neck. Mount a few flat on a wall at different heights for your does and growing kids. They are nearly indestructible, which is a key feature when dealing with goats who will test the limits of anything you install.
The tradeoff, of course, is cost. A single pad is more expensive than a DIY solution. However, for a small herd or for a high-traffic area inside a barn, the convenience, safety (no sharp edges), and sheer durability can make it a worthwhile investment. You install it once and forget about it for years.
Itchin’ Post Brush: For Targeted Relief
If you want to provide a more aggressive, targeted scratch, the classic cattle-style brush is a fantastic option. These are typically large, cylindrical brushes with very stiff polypropylene bristles, mounted on a heavy-duty spring or bracket. They are designed to withstand the full weight of a large animal pushing against them.
These brushes excel at penetrating thick winter coats, getting right down to the skin where lice and mites hide. They are particularly good for scratching heads, necks, and along the back—areas goats can’t easily reach themselves. You’ll often see a line of goats waiting their turn to use one, which tells you everything you need to know about their effectiveness.
The key consideration is mounting. These must be anchored to something incredibly solid, like a deeply set 6×6 post or a reinforced barn wall. A goat will put its entire body weight into a good scratch, and a flimsy installation will fail quickly, potentially creating a hazard. They aren’t cheap, but one well-placed brush can serve an entire herd for a decade or more.
The Classic Cedar & Rope DIY Rubbing Post
You can’t go wrong with the classics. This setup is simple, effective, and uses materials that are naturally suited for the outdoors. All you need is a solid wood post and a good length of thick, natural fiber rope.
Start with a cedar or locust post, as they are naturally rot-resistant and will last for years in the ground without chemical treatment. Sink it deep and secure it with concrete if your soil is loose. Then, wrap the post tightly with 1-inch or thicker sisal or manila rope. The rough, natural texture of the rope is perfect for scratching and won’t snag or pull hair like some synthetic materials. Secure the ends with heavy-duty staples or screws.
This DIY post offers a fantastic abrasive surface that covers 360 degrees, allowing multiple goats to use it at once. It’s a cost-effective project that taps into timeless farm ingenuity. Over time the rope will wear down, but it’s simple enough to replace every few years, giving you a fresh scratching surface.
Upcycled Street Sweeper Brush Station
For the ultimate heavy-duty DIY solution, look no further than a used street sweeper brush. These massive, bristly rings are designed to scour asphalt for thousands of miles, so a herd of goats is no challenge at all. You can often find them for cheap or even free from your local municipal garage or at equipment auctions.
The most common way to mount them is horizontally. Sink two sturdy posts into the ground, leaving about four feet between them. Then, slide the brush rings onto a heavy metal pipe or a solid wooden dowel and mount it between the posts at goat-back height. This creates a long, horizontal scratching station that multiple animals can use simultaneously.
Be warned: these things are heavy and awkward. Installation is a two-person job, and your support posts need to be rock-solid. But once it’s in place, you will have a rubbing station that will likely outlast your barn. It’s a prime example of resourceful homesteading—turning someone else’s "waste" into a valuable asset for your farm.
The Fallen Oak Log Horizontal Scratcher
Sometimes the best solutions are the simplest and most natural. A well-placed hardwood log can make an excellent, no-cost rubbing station that blends right into the pasture. The key is to choose the right kind of log and secure it properly.
Look for a fallen oak, hickory, or another dense hardwood log with thick, textured bark. The rough bark provides a great scratching surface that mimics what goats would find in the wild. A log that’s 8-12 inches in diameter and at least 6-8 feet long is ideal.
The most important step is to make sure the log can’t roll. A rolling log is a serious safety hazard, especially for young kids who might get a leg trapped underneath. You can secure it by driving sturdy wooden or metal stakes into the ground on either side. This low-profile scratcher is perfect for providing enrichment and parasite control directly in the field where your goats spend most of their time.
Recycled Tractor Tire Itch Station DIY
If you have an old tractor or truck tire lying around, you have the makings of a nearly indestructible rubbing post. The thick, textured rubber is tough enough to withstand years of abuse from hooves, horns, and itchy hides. This is a great way to put a common piece of farm waste to good use.
The easiest method is to cut the tire in half, creating two C-shaped pieces. Using heavy-duty lag bolts, you can mount these sections directly to barn walls or sturdy fence posts. Mount them at different heights and orientations—some horizontal, some vertical—to give your goats a variety of surfaces to rub against.
Before you install one, inspect it carefully. Make sure there are no exposed steel belts, as these can cause serious injury. It’s best to use older, well-weathered tires. This solution is rugged, resourceful, and provides a unique, flexible scratching surface that goats seem to really enjoy.
Adding Medicated Dust to Your Rubbing Posts
Any of these rubbing posts can be supercharged into an active parasite-killing station. By adding a livestock-approved insecticidal dust or a natural alternative like diatomaceous earth, you turn every scratch into a treatment. As the goat rubs, it works the dust deep into its coat, right where the parasites live.
Get 4lbs of HARRIS Food Grade Diatomaceous Earth, a natural product with no additives, OMRI listed for organic use. Includes a powder duster for easy application.
For brushes and rope-wrapped posts, you can simply sprinkle the dust directly onto the surface. The bristles and rope fibers will hold the powder, releasing a small amount each time a goat uses it. For solid surfaces like logs or tires, you can create a simple dust bag out of burlap, fill it with your chosen dust, and hang it just above the rubbing station so the goats bump into it as they scratch.
Always use a product specifically labeled for use on goats, like a permethrin-based livestock dust, and follow the application guidelines. For a non-chemical approach, use food-grade diatomaceous earth, which works by physically desiccating insects. This simple addition transforms your rubbing posts from a comfort item into a critical, low-labor tool for keeping your herd healthy.
Ultimately, the best rubbing post is the one you actually build and your goats actually use. Whether you buy a modern pad or upcycle an old tire, you’re providing a tool that empowers your animals to participate in their own healthcare. It’s a small addition to your farm that pays big dividends in herd health, reduced labor, and peace of mind.
