Scratching is a natural need for cattle to get rid of parasites and skin conditions. If a cow cannot find suitable equipment for this, it will use barriers and wall edges, risking damaging them and injuring itself. To ensure the well-being of your animals, you must therefore think about providing them with something to scratch themselves on safely. The rotating brush is already well known.
In addition, Bioret, a specialist in livestock products, has developed Grat’O Gratte, a vertical or horizontal rubber scratching station that is placed on the walls of the free-stall barn. Easy to install, the stations can be placed in multiple locations. The cows will come and rub against them without risking injury against the concrete. Made of molded rubber parts with 32 mm studs, the Grat’O Gratte scratching stations are of simple and effective design. They require neither energy nor maintenance. The vertical station consists of a lower part of 500 mm which is smooth and an upper part, of 1,000 mm, with studs. The horizontal station is entirely covered with studs.
A simple and effective solution
David Forget, a farmer in Abbaretz (44), installed Grat’O Gratte in his free-stall barn two years ago. « It complements the rotating brushes well, » notes this milk producer. « With a brush, the animal scratches its back, with the Grat’O Gratte, it's more the head. It multiplies the places where cows can find to rub themselves, so I think it avoids the stress of competition. Any cow that needs to scratch itself can find a place to do so in peace. In addition, it protects the walls.»
David Forget has installed 5 stations for 120 cows. « With the hair at the foot of the stations, I have proof that they are being used!» Their effectiveness and ease of installation convinced the farmer to also put them in the calf and heifer pens. « The fact that my animals can scratch themselves safely contributes to their well-being, » confirms Hugo Lucas, a young farmer in Côtes d'Armor. « In my new building, I installed Grat’O Gratte on the bare corners in addition to the brushes. There are always cows around.»
