6 Best Cattle Back Scratchers For Pasture Health That Old Farmers Trust
Explore 6 cattle back scratchers trusted by seasoned farmers. These tools boost herd health, reduce stress, and prevent costly damage to pasture fences.
You’ve seen it a hundred times: a cow with a persistent itch, rubbing its hide raw against a fence post, a tree, or the corner of the barn. While it seems like a harmless habit, it’s a sign of a bigger issue and a direct threat to your fences and equipment. A good back scratcher isn’t just a luxury for your herd; it’s a fundamental tool for managing pests, reducing animal stress, and protecting your property.
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Why Scratchers Boost Herd and Pasture Health
A dedicated scratching station is one of the best low-effort investments you can make for your cattle. The most obvious benefit is pest control. When equipped with an oiler, these units allow cattle to self-medicate for flies, lice, and ticks, which reduces stress, prevents weight loss, and minimizes the risk of diseases like pinkeye.
This directly translates to calmer, healthier animals. A cow that can relieve an itch is less agitated and spends more time grazing peacefully. This reduction in stress has a measurable impact on their overall condition and, for those with a family milk cow, their temperament.
Beyond the herd, scratchers protect your pasture and infrastructure. Instead of tearing up bark on valuable shade trees or pushing over fence lines, cattle will focus their energy on the designated scratcher. This saves you countless hours and dollars on repairs and helps prevent erosion around trees and posts. It’s a simple solution that channels a natural instinct into a productive, non-destructive habit.
Lewis Cattle Oiler: The Classic Heavy-Duty Choice
When you see a piece of farm equipment that hasn’t changed its design in 50 years, there’s usually a good reason. The Lewis Cattle Oiler is a perfect example. It’s built from heavy steel with a simple, gravity-fed design that just works, season after season.
The unit consists of a vertical reservoir that holds insecticide oil, which wicks down into heavy-duty fabric curtains or mops. As cattle walk through or rub against the curtains, they get a thorough coating of oil and a satisfying scratch. There are no moving parts to break, no power required, and it’s tough enough to handle the most determined bull.
The main tradeoff is the upfront cost. This is a serious investment compared to a DIY solution. However, its durability means you’re buying it for a lifetime, not just a few seasons. For the hobby farmer with a small but established herd, the Lewis Oiler is a reliable, set-and-forget solution for pest management.
Tarter 3-Chain Oiler for Superior Fly Control
The Tarter 3-Chain Oiler is a smart, effective design focused squarely on pest control, especially for the head and face. It typically features a horizontal poly tank that feeds oil down three free-hanging chains. This design encourages cattle to rub not just their backs, but also their necks, faces, and shoulders.
This is particularly useful for combating face flies, which are notorious for spreading pinkeye. The chains move and conform to the animal’s shape, ensuring the insecticide gets applied exactly where it’s needed most. It’s an excellent tool for preventative herd health, working passively in the pasture without requiring you to round up and treat animals individually.
While it provides some scratching relief, the chains don’t offer the deep, satisfying pressure of a stiff brush or solid post. Think of it less as a "scratcher" and more as a highly efficient, animal-activated applicator. It’s a great choice if your primary goal is fly control in a simple, low-maintenance package.
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Behlen Poly Feeder/Oiler: A Multi-Purpose Unit
For the hobby farmer who values efficiency, a combination unit is hard to beat. The Behlen Poly Feeder/Oiler integrates a mineral feeder with an oiler system, tackling two essential tasks in one location. Cattle are naturally drawn to the feeder for salt and minerals, and as they eat, they rub their faces and necks against treated canvas flaps.
This design is brilliant in its simplicity. It leverages the daily routine of the herd to ensure consistent application of fly control right where it’s needed most. It saves space and concentrates activity, making it easy to monitor both mineral consumption and the effectiveness of your pest control.
The obvious limitation is that it only treats the head and neck. It won’t do much for flies along the back or legs. However, for many operations, controlling face flies is half the battle. This unit is a perfect fit for smaller pastures where a single, multi-purpose station can serve the whole herd effectively.
HappyCow Swinging Brush for Ultimate Cow Comfort
If your goal is pure, unadulterated cow contentment, the HappyCow swinging brush is the gold standard. These large, bristly brushes are engineered to provide the ultimate scratching experience. They pivot and swing, allowing cows to scratch their heads, backs, and sides with satisfying pressure.
The benefits go beyond simple comfort. Studies have shown that access to these brushes significantly reduces stress and can even lead to modest increases in milk production. A relaxed, happy herd is easier to manage and generally healthier. They are a powerful tool for animal welfare.
The biggest hurdle is cost and complexity. The powered versions, which rotate automatically, require electricity in the pasture—a non-starter for many. The non-powered, gravity-swinging models are simpler but still represent a significant financial investment. This is a premium choice for farmers who prioritize animal comfort as a key component of their management philosophy.
Priefert Walk-Thru Oiler for High-Traffic Areas
The Priefert Walk-Thru Oiler is designed for one thing: guaranteed, whole-herd treatment. It’s essentially an archway or gate frame with hanging curtains or mops that cattle must pass through. By placing it in a high-traffic lane—like the entrance to the water trough or the gate between pastures—you ensure every single animal gets treated, every single day.
This approach is ideal for rotational grazing systems. As you move the herd to fresh paddock, they all pass through the oiler, getting a consistent dose of fly protection. It removes the guesswork and ensures no animal is missed, which is crucial for preventing a pest outbreak.
The key is placement. You have to put it somewhere the cattle must go. If there’s an easy way around it, they’ll take it. It can also create a slight bottleneck, so ensure the area around it is open and doesn’t create a muddy mess or a situation where a timid animal might be cornered.
DIY Tire & Post Scratcher: The Frugal Farmer Pick
Sometimes the old ways are the best ways, especially when you’re working with a tight budget. The classic DIY scratcher, made from a sturdy post and old tires or brushes, is a testament to farmer ingenuity. It costs next to nothing and can be built in an afternoon with materials you probably already have.
The construction is simple:
- Set a solid post. A railroad tie or a section of telephone pole sunk deep in the ground is ideal. Use concrete for maximum stability.
- Add the scratching surface. Sliced-up old tractor tires, bolted on in layers, are tough and effective. Stiff-bristled deck brushes or sections of heavy-duty conveyor belt also work wonderfully.
- Secure everything with heavy-duty hardware. Use lag bolts, not screws, to ensure it stands up to a 1,200-pound animal leaning on it.
This scratcher won’t apply any pest control, so you’ll need a separate plan for flies and lice. But for providing pure, physical itch relief and saving your fences, it’s an unbeatable, budget-friendly option. It requires occasional checks to make sure no bolts have come loose or sharp edges have appeared, but that’s a small price to pay for a happy herd.
Proper Placement and Installation in Your Pasture
Where you put your scratcher is just as important as which one you choose. A well-placed unit will see constant use, while a poorly placed one will be ignored. The goal is to integrate it into the herd’s daily routine.
Place your scratcher in or near a natural gathering spot. The best locations are often near water troughs, mineral feeders, or favorite shade trees. Cattle already spend time in these areas, so they will discover and use the scratcher quickly. Another excellent spot is along a well-worn path between grazing areas and water.
Installation is non-negotiable: it must be rock solid. A full-grown cow exerts an incredible amount of force. Set wooden posts at least 3-4 feet deep, preferably in concrete. For free-standing metal units, make sure they are on level, well-drained ground so they don’t become a mud pit. A little extra work upfront will prevent you from having to constantly repair or reset the unit later.
Ultimately, a back scratcher is a simple machine that solves multiple problems. It improves animal welfare, simplifies your pest control, and protects your farm’s infrastructure. Whether you choose a top-of-the-line oiler or build your own from scrap, giving your cattle a proper place to scratch is a small change that yields big returns in herd health and peace of mind.
