6 Best Sheep Rubbing Barrels For Parasite Prevention + Old Farmers Swear By
Explore the 6 best sheep rubbing barrels for natural parasite control. See why this time-tested method is a favorite among seasoned farmers for a healthy flock.
You’ve seen it happen every summer. A peaceful flock suddenly starts stomping, shaking their heads, and running in frantic circles to escape the relentless buzz of flies. External parasites aren’t just an annoyance; they cause stress, reduce weight gain, and can transmit diseases like pinkeye. This is where a bit of old-fashioned ingenuity, the rubbing barrel, becomes one of the most effective tools on your farm.
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Why Old-Timers Use Rubbing Barrels for Sheep
A rubbing barrel is the definition of working smarter, not harder. Instead of gathering your entire flock for stressful pour-on treatments every few weeks, you let the sheep treat themselves. It’s a simple, passive system that taps into their natural instinct to scratch an itch.
The core idea is to create a station where sheep voluntarily rub against a surface saturated with a fly control solution. This provides consistent, low-dose application without the labor and chaos of running them through a chute. The animals get relief on their own schedule, which dramatically reduces the stress load on both the flock and the shepherd.
This method isn’t new for a reason: it works. It’s a low-tech, high-impact solution that provides steady protection. By placing an oiler in a high-traffic area, like near a water source or mineral feeder, you ensure the whole flock gets treated regularly as they go about their day.
Behlen Country Mineral Feeder with Face Flyps
This is a brilliant two-for-one piece of equipment. The Behlen feeder protects your loose mineral from the elements while integrating a simple, effective oiler system. It features hanging fabric strips, or "flyps," that you soak with your chosen insecticide oil.
When a sheep sticks its head in to get mineral, its face, neck, and shoulders brush against the saturated flyps. This is incredibly effective for targeting face flies and horn flies, which congregate around the head and are notorious for spreading pinkeye. It solves two daily chores with one piece of gear.
The main trade-off is coverage. You won’t get the full-body application that a horizontal barrel provides, so it’s best for targeting pests that bother the head and eyes. For small flocks or as a supplement to other control methods, it’s an outstandingly efficient choice.
Tarter Mineral Feeder with Poly Hood Oiler
Similar in concept to the Behlen, the Tarter feeder uses a durable polyethylene hood to protect minerals. The oiler is integrated into the hood itself, often with a felt or carpet-like material that you saturate with your fly control solution.
The design encourages sheep to rub their heads, necks, and toplines as they access the mineral. The tough poly construction stands up to abuse from weather and livestock, making it a long-lasting fixture in your pasture. It’s a solid, reliable unit that combines two essential tasks.
Think of this as a heavy-duty version of the feeder/oiler combo. It’s ideal for a set-and-forget system in a main pasture. Just keep the oil reservoir filled and the mineral tub full, and the sheep do the rest of the work for you.
The "55-Gallon Drum" DIY Oiler for Shepherds
This is the classic, time-tested solution you’ll see on farms that value function over form. It’s cheap, incredibly effective, and you can build it in an afternoon with materials you probably already have. The concept is simple: a 55-gallon drum, either plastic or metal, is mounted horizontally on a sturdy frame.
You then wrap the barrel in a coarse material that can hold oil, like burlap sacks or a piece of old, durable carpet. Secure the material with wire and saturate it with your fly oil. The sheep are naturally drawn to rub against it, treating their sides, backs, and necks.
The beauty of the DIY approach is its customizability. You can set the height perfectly for your breed, whether you have stout Dorpers or taller Katahdins. The only real downside is that it requires some basic construction, and you must ensure the frame is strong enough to withstand a lot of rubbing from a determined flock.
Scratch n All Pad: A Versatile Rubbing Solution
Sometimes a big barrel isn’t the right tool for the job. The Scratch n All pad is a modular, flexible solution that lets you create a rubbing station almost anywhere. These are durable, interlocking pads with firm cones that you can mount to posts, barn walls, trees, or inside a creep feeder.
You simply apply your chosen fly control solution directly to the pads with a brush. Sheep and lambs love rubbing on them, and you can place them at the perfect height to target specific areas. They are fantastic for getting coverage on faces, under the chin, and along the sides.
Their versatility is their greatest strength. You can put one on a corner post that sheep always use for scratching or line a narrow alleyway with them. While they don’t hold as much oil as a barrel wick, they are perfect for targeted applications and for use inside shelters where a large oiler isn’t practical.
Homestead Upfitter’s Classic Chain & Wick Oiler
This isn’t a barrel, but it serves the same purpose with a different design, and it’s a classic for a reason. This system uses a heavy chain wrapped in an absorbent wick, suspended between two posts with a tension spring. An oil reservoir at one end slowly drips onto the wick, keeping it saturated.
You install it across a high-traffic area, like a gate or the path to the water trough. The height is set so sheep have to duck slightly, forcing them to rub their backs and sides against the wick as they pass under. The spring allows the chain to move, preventing damage and ensuring good contact.
This is a more "forced" application method than a passive barrel, which guarantees every animal gets treated. It provides excellent full-body coverage, making it one of the most effective options for controlling a wide range of external parasites, including lice and keds.
Sioux Steel Horizontal Barrel Oiler for Flocks
If you like the idea of the DIY 55-gallon drum but want a solution that’s ready to go and built to last a lifetime, this is your answer. Sioux Steel and other manufacturers make commercial-grade horizontal oilers designed specifically for livestock.
These units feature a heavy-gauge steel frame and a pre-installed, highly absorbent wick material that’s more durable than burlap. They are engineered to withstand the elements and constant use by a large flock. There’s no guesswork involved; you just assemble it, fill it, and put it in the pasture.
The primary consideration here is cost. A pre-built unit is a significant investment compared to a DIY barrel. However, for a farmer who values durability and wants to save the time and hassle of building their own, it’s a purchase you only have to make once.
Choosing the Right Oil for Your Rubbing Barrel
The best rubbing barrel in the world is useless without the right solution. Your choice of oil depends on your management philosophy, your budget, and the specific pests you’re fighting.
Here are the most common options:
- Permethrin-Based Insecticides: These are the industry standard. Products labeled for use in cattle oilers are often suitable for sheep, but you must read the label carefully to ensure it is safe for sheep and follow all withdrawal times. They are highly effective against flies, lice, and ticks.
- Natural Oil Blends: For those avoiding synthetic chemicals, you can create a mix using a carrier oil (like mineral oil) and essential oils known for their repellent properties, such as cedarwood, peppermint, or tea tree oil. Be aware that these require more frequent reapplication and their effectiveness can be more variable.
- Carrier Oils: The insecticide needs to be mixed with a carrier to help it stick to the wick and transfer to the sheep’s wool. Mineral oil is a clean and effective choice. Some old-timers used diesel fuel or used motor oil, but this is not recommended due to potential skin irritation and contamination concerns with modern oil additives.
No matter what you choose, start with a small amount to ensure your flock doesn’t have an adverse reaction. Your goal is a solution that is effective, safe, and fits the needs of your farm. When in doubt, a conversation with your large-animal veterinarian is always a wise investment.
Ultimately, a good rubbing barrel or oiler is about giving your sheep the tool to take care of themselves. It reduces your workload, lowers flock stress, and provides consistent protection from nagging parasites. Choose the system that fits your flock size and budget, and you’ll spend less time treating problems and more time enjoying a healthy, comfortable flock.
