Brushing is an important part of daily cow care, helping to keep the cow clean, promote metabolism and blood circulation, ensure milk hygiene, and cultivate a docile temperament, making management easier. The recommended brushing frequency is 1-2 times daily, and should be completed 0.5-1 hour before milking. The brushing method typically starts from the neck, moving from front to back and top to bottom, brushing the entire body.
Based on observational studies of large-scale dairy farms, the following behavioral patterns of cows using body brushes have been observed: There are significant differences in the daily brushing time per cow during lactation, dry period, and peripartum, at 7.73±4.02 minutes/day, 15.97±14.16 minutes/day, and 24.96±18.62 minutes/day, respectively. Regarding preferred areas, lactating and dry cows primarily prefer the head (59.32% and 44.54% respectively), while peripartum cows primarily prefer the rump (40.17%).
The installation location of massage brushes for cattle significantly affects their efficiency. For example, in the peri-calving barn, brushes near the water trough are used significantly more frequently than those further away. Similarly, in the lactation barn, brushes near the passageway (middle gate) are used more frequently and for longer durations than those against the wall. In terms of usage time, lactating cows use brushes more often at night.
