Why A Brush?
Why a Brush?
Research Proves Benefits of Cow brushes:
Research indicates a clear benefit of brushes, both to the cow and the farm. Cows are highly motivated by the bliss they get from a brush. Anywhere from 85 to 100 percent of cows will use a brush daily if it is available to them, according to one German study.
Goats love our brushes too! Click here to find out more (PDF).
Proven to Increase Milk Production
A field study conducted by Cornell University supports the blissful benefits of brushes. This study showed that cows with access to a brush
- Produced approximately 1 kg (2 lbs.) more milk than their brushless counter-parts. Although the reasons for this increase is unclear, there are some logical assumptions.
- Cows LOVE BRUSHES! They want to get up and relieve tension by getting a massage from their brush and go grab a bite to eat at the same time.
- Brushes leave cows feeling refreshed, and their coats clean and shiny. You love seeing those bright, clean cows!
- And those cleaner hides may be part of why cows with brushes see less incidence of mastitis.
Read the full article here.
Proven to Increase Milk Production
A field study conducted by Cornell University supports the blissful benefits of brushes. This study showed that cows with access to a brush
- Produced approximately 1 kg (2 lbs.) more milk than their brushless counter-parts. Although the reasons for this increase is unclear, there are some logical assumptions.
- Cows LOVE BRUSHES! They want to get up and relieve tension by getting a massage from their brush and go grab a bite to eat at the same time.
- Brushes leave cows feeling refreshed, and their coats clean and shiny. You love seeing those bright, clean cows!
- And those cleaner hides may be part of why cows with brushes see less incidence of mastitis.
Read the full article here.
Cows are motivated by a brush
Recently, a study was conducted in British Columbia showing cows’ motivation to access a brush. In the study:
- Cows were tested for desire to access fresh food, a brush and open space.
- A weighted gate showed motivation by increasing the weight to find the cows’ maximum effort levels.
- Cows showed a similar desire to get to their fresh feed as they did to get to the brush.
The result? A mechanical brush is an important resource for cows. It’s on a similar level as fresh feed.
Read the full article here.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do you buy a cow brush?
Cow comfort, stress reduction, hygiene.
Does a brush make me more milk?
Cornell university had a study showing 1-2 lb higher production when a brush was placed in groups of 50-60 cows.
What is the life expectancy of bristles?
In smaller (recommended) group sizes no reason not to see 4-5 years of life.
Do your brushes come in 110v or 230v power?
Yes, brushes come in both voltages.
Can you put the brush outdoors?
You can, but a protective cover needs to go over the unit for keeping moisture out of the motor/gearbox area.
Do you have a dripping system on brush for fly control?
No, we do not offer a system to attach or place over units.
Where do you place a cow brush in your dairy barn?
End walls and crossovers are the logical areas for them.
Do cows' tails ever get wrapped in brush?
It is possible, but the system will sense pressure and stop. It will then reverse to unwrap.
Is there a warranty on your brush line?
Yes, 2-years or 10,000 hours. Whatever comes first.
Can you order a brush with other color bristles?
Yes you can, it’s a special order and will take extra time and additional costs.
Can this brush be used on Beef Cattle?
Yes, many beef operations have Bliss Brushes in barns.
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Marietta, PA 17547
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CowBrushes.com is the distributor for BlissBrush™ by Agricow®.
BlissBrush™ is backed by Agricow’s 30-year track record of developing durable, dependable equipment for dairy barns.