The Power of Cattle Oilers: An Essential Tool for Livestock Health
Keeping cattle and other livestock healthy, comfortable, and productive requires more than just quality feed and water—it also demands proactive pest control. One of the most effective and low-maintenance tools available for managing external parasites like flies, lice, and ticks is the cattle oiler. At Barn World, we offer a variety of cattle oilers designed for ease of use, maximum coverage, and year-round protection.
Whether you’re managing a large ranch or a small homestead, understanding how cattle oilers work and why they’re so beneficial can make a significant impact on your herd’s health and your bottom line.
How Cattle Oilers Work
Cattle oilers are passive pest control systems that livestock use naturally. When cattle rub against the oiler, it applies a controlled amount of insecticide or oil directly to the animal’s coat. The application targets common problem areas like the head, back, and neck, where flies and lice tend to congregate.
These units can be gravity-fed and feature refillable reservoirs that ensure a consistent supply of treatment fluid. As the livestock scratch or groom themselves on the device, the oiler simultaneously delivers relief and protection.
Why Use a Cattle Oiler?
External parasites can cause constant irritation, weight loss, reduced milk production, and the spread of disease within a herd. Flies alone can cost producers more than $50 per head per season in lost performance. Cattle oilers are one of the most cost-effective ways to combat this issue without the labor-intensive work of spraying or pouring treatments manually.
Key benefits include:
- Consistent Parasite Control: Cattle self-apply insecticide multiple times per day, keeping pest pressure low.
- Reduced Stress: Animals gain relief from irritation and itching, improving overall health.
- Increased Weight Gain and Milk Yield: Healthier cattle put more energy into production instead of fighting off pests.
- Lower Labor Costs: Minimal upkeep and no need for manual chemical application.
- Year-Round Use: Great for summer fly season and winter lice outbreaks.
Different Types of Cattle Oilers Available
At Barn World, we carry a variety of oiler systems designed to suit your specific needs. Whether you’re looking to treat cattle, goats, or other livestock, there’s a reliable solution for your operation.
Spring-Mounted Cattle Oilers
These heavy-duty cattle oilers use one or two springs to allow animals to rub naturally while delivering treatment evenly. The spring action helps maintain contact with the animal while reducing wear and tear on the unit itself. It also helps the animals remove excess hair and dead skin.
- Single Spring Models: Great for lighter-duty use and smaller operations.
- Double Spring Models: Built for high-traffic areas and large herds.
Each unit includes a reservoir that feeds insecticide into an actuated valve, which then coats the animal through the brush during use. The reservoirs are available in a sturdy steel tank or even a UV-treated poly translucent design, so fluid levels are easy to check at a glance.
Hanging Mop Oilers
These models hang from ceilings, beams, or posts and use a combination of gravity and string mops to deliver pesticide treatments. They’re an excellent choice for barns, alleys, or paddocks where animals congregate.
They are designed as a steel tank with seep holes on each side of the tank at about a 45-degree angle. When agitated by passing cows, the tank tips and releases pesticide onto the felt that wraps the tank. The saturated felt allows the fluid to soak the string mop below without allowing excess waste. The strings of the mop contact a large area, from the head, all across the shoulders, back, and rear, providing excellent protection.
Benefits of hanging oilers:
- Easy installation in confined spaces
- Lower cost and maintenance
- Excellent for targeting the face and back
- Easy to use!
Goat Oilers – designed for smaller animals
Goats, sheep, and smaller livestock benefit from oiler systems sized specifically for their frames. These smaller oilers function similarly to cattle units, using brushes and reservoirs for continual insecticide application in areas where flies and lice are an issue.
Easy Installation and Low Maintenance
Cattle oilers are designed with busy ranchers in mind. Most units require minimal tools for setup and can be mounted to posts, walls, or hung from overhead beams. Replacing or refilling oil or insecticide is quick and easy, and many models are built from rugged steel or powder-coated frames for long-term outdoor use.
Maintenance Tips:
- Check fluid levels often during peak fly season
- Clean applicator strings and brushes as needed
- Use only approved insecticides and backrubber oils
- Consult your vet for the most effective pesticide in your area
With regular use and minor maintenance, a cattle oiler can provide years of reliable service.
Choose the Right Insecticide
It’s important to pair your cattle oiler with an appropriate backrubber insecticide or oil. At Barn World, we recommend high-quality formulations designed specifically for use in oiler systems. These products are safe for livestock when used as directed and provide broad-spectrum control of flies, lice, ticks, and mites. A visit to your vet for a recommendation is a great idea!
Why Shop Cattle Oilers at Barn World?
As a trusted supplier of livestock equipment, Barn World offers only high-quality, field-tested cattle oilers that are proven to perform in all types of environments. When you shop with us, you get:
- Expert Product Support: We’re here to help match the right oiler to your operation.
- Fast Shipping: Oiler orders ship quickly, so you can get to protecting your herd without delay.
- Durable Construction: Our oilers are built to withstand rugged conditions and are designed for outdoor use in metal and poly tank designs.
- Solutions for All Livestock: From goats to full-size cattle, we have you, and them, covered!
Final Thoughts
Cattle oilers are an indispensable tool in any livestock operation. They offer a simple, effective, and economical way to protect animals from the costly effects of flies, lice, and other parasites. With minimal maintenance, they can provide year-round protection, improve animal comfort, and boost productivity.
Explore Barn World’s full selection of cattle oilers here and give your livestock the pest-free environment they deserve.
Get your cattle and farm animals covered and protected from the dangers of pests with a Cattle Oiler today!
Call, Email, or Chat on our website anytime, and we’ll be happy to help.
Barn World | (720) 238-2190 | Sales@BarnWorld.com
