DIY Goat Scratch Brush

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If you are looking for an inexpensive way to help your goats scratch, this DIY scratch brush for goats will help.

This is a cheap and fast solution for how to raise dairy goats that are itchy that they can use to get relief, reduce stress, and keep their overall health intact.

One of the things my goats love to do is scratch…on anything. The hay feeder, a tree, even my backend. (Yes, never stand still near an itchy goat.) There is nothing more pleasant than a goat scratching her itchy wet nose all over my back in the middle of winter…said no one ever.

The other day, I was at a friend’s house and saw the neatest thing set up in her goat barn.

She had attached brushes to the wall of her barn so her goats could rub up and scratch themselves.

I sat there and watched several does walk by, getting in a good scratch and how relaxed they looked as they walked away. I just loved this idea.

Not only was it a useful way for a herd to do a little self-care, but it also looked super easy to set up and inexpensive to make. 

Gathering Supplies for the Scratch Brush

That weekend, Hubby and I went shopping at Tractor Supply. Unfortunately, all the brushes we saw were either too small or too expensive.

We then looked in the aisle with the push brooms and found a selection of replacement brushes for push brooms. They came in various sizes, and the bristles were stiff enough that I knew they would hold up for quite a while.

The price was great too, less than $10 each.

Weiler 44026 Heavy Duty Deck Scrub Brush with Natural Palmyra Bristles for Wooden Decks, Conrete Patios, and Other Rough SurfacesDeck Scrub Brush Head 7.87Bristles 4224 24” Push Broom Head for Indoor and Outdoor, Commercial Or Residential Use with Stiff Bristles for Heavy-Duty Work On Concrete, Patio, Garage, Stone Or Any Heavy Duty Cleaning

 

Inexpensive Brush Heads

There are a few options for brush heads that you can try before buying new.

• Take a look at what you have at home first. As homesteaders, we tend to have a random collection of supplies, and you may be surprised to find the exact brush head you are looking for.
• If it is summer, you can check out yard sales. You might find a used broom for less than the cost of a new brush head.
• Ask friends and family to see if anyone has an old broom they no longer want.

Decide How Many Brushes

If you have a large herd one brush may not be enough. I would suggest installing 1 scratch brush per 5 goats. This should keep the pushing and shoving down to a minimum when you first install them. 

Goats are very curious, even nosey so they will swarm you as you are installing the scratch brushes. I am sure they think they are “helping” you, but that never really seems to be the case. 

Choose a Good Location

These brushes are pretty durable and can be hung both inside and outside of your goat shelter. My best advice is to choose a location that is the sturdiest and can withstand a 100-pound goat’s weight. 

You will also need to install your brushes at the correct height as well.

The main area a goat will scratch on is their head, sides, and the middle of its belly. I would just eyeball it to be sure most of your goats can use the brushes comfortably.

If you have mini goats and full-sized goats in the same herd, then a brush at each level will be your best option. 

Prep the Brush

You will need to pre-drill a few holes in the brush to make installation a bit easier. Even though you will be attaching the brush with the bristles facing out, I found it easier to drill holes from the back end. 

Attach the Scratch Brush

You will want to hang the brush vertically on the wall to give the biggest area of scratch to your goats. Again be sure to choose a location that is sturdy.

A 60-pound goat can do a lot of damage when it pushes all of its weight against a wall. That means a main beam will probably be your best bet if you have one available. 

Attach the brush with screws one at the top and one at the bottom using the holes you drilled in step #3. 

Before I even had the brush attached, my big buck Toby was over there scratching away! He really went to town and I was happy to see the brush stayed put through the full 10 minutes he used it.

It wasn’t long before the rest of the herd was scratching on the brush as well. A good sign that this was an addition that was truly needed. 

You can expect your brush to last a good 5-6 months but it all depends on how many goats are using it and how often. It will also depend on the condition of the brush when you install it. 

When is an Itch Something to be Concerned About?

If your goats are scratching in the fall or spring, it is probably due to them growing in or shedding out their winter fir. There are a few signs to watch for if you think your goats have a skin issue.

1. Scratching excessively throughout the day.
2. Bald patches on their skin.
3. Unexplained weight loss.

Lice is a common cause of excessive scratching and can be controlled with a topical treatment. Some wormers will also help control lice, but it depends on the type of lice you are dealing with.

How do you know if your goat has lice?

The best answer is, you look. Using your hands, part the fur on your goat and look for any movement. Yes, lice are small but you can still see them especially if they are moving.

If you find your goat has lice, you will want to treat not only that goat but your entire herd. Usually if one has lice they all have lice. Do not worry about getting lice from your goat. Lice are spread from goat to goat and not humans. 

How do I treat a goat with lice?

Lice tend to show up in late winter to early spring. If it’s warm you can shave your goat’s fur. We do this every summer to help keep our goats cooler and it works great if you have lice.

I prefer to use natural treatments whenever possible and when it comes to lice I like to use diatomaceous earth.

Harris Diatomaceous Earth Food Grade, 5lbDiatomaceous Earth – DE Fresh Water – 10.5 PoundsDiatomaceousEarth 10 LBS Food Grade Diatomaceous Earth – 100% Organic All Natural Diamateous Powder – Diametaceous for Humans is Safe Around Children

 

Diatomaceous earth is made up of tiny fossilized diatoms (plankton). when you sprinkle it on your goat it creates a poor environment for lice but will not harm your goat in any way.

Be sure to get food-grade DE which is readily available at feed mills, stores, and online. 

Sprinkle DE on the back of your goat using gloved hands to gently work it into their fur. Be sure not to breathe in DE dust while you are using it.

You can wear a mask to help protect yourself. Please know that DE is better at preventing lice, so if you have a severe case, you may want to contact your vet for medical treatment. 

Setting up a scratch brush for your goats can help them remove an itch and relax, giving you a happier herd.

Look for supplies before heading out to the store, and keep this budget-friendly project ready whenever you need it.

More Goat Care Resources:

• DIY Goat Playground
• How to Train Your Goats 
• Keep your Animals Cool in Hot Weather