What is a Cattle Oiler?
A cattle oiler is a device used to apply insecticide, fungicide, or other types of oil-based solutions to the hair and skin of cattle, in order to protect them from external parasites and pests such as flies, ticks, and lice.
The oiler usually consists of a tank that is mounted on a vertical pole or suspended overhead. The tank contains an oil-based solution, which is dispensed through a series of mops, wicks, or rollers that the cattle rub against as they pass by. As the cattle move through the oiler, their coats become coated with the solution, which helps to repel or kill the parasites and pests that can cause both discomfort and disease.
What are the benefits of using a Cattle Oiler?
Livestock Oilers are an effective way to protect your cattle from pesky and harmful parasites while also improving your bottom line. Here are some of the benefits of using a cattle oiler on your farm or ranch:
Protects your cattle from external parasites:
Cattle oilers are an excellent way to protect your cattle from external parasites, such as ticks, lice, and flies. The oil-based solutions used coat the hair and skin, creating a barrier that repels or kills these pests. This protection not only keeps your cattle healthy and comfortable but can also increase weight gain and preserve milk production as well.
These pests can carry and transmit many diseases that can affect the health of your livestock. Some of the diseases that can be spread by ticks, fleas, and mites include:
- Lyme Disease
- Anaplasmosis
- Mange
- Scabies
- Salmonellosis
- Spotted Fever
- Pink Eye
It’s important for ranchers to control animal exposure to these pests and prevent the transmission of any of these diseases to their cattle. Using a cattle oiler with the proper pesticides is a fairly simple and effective step to managing these issues.
Cost-effective:
Investing in a cattle oiler is a cost-effective way to protect your cattle from parasites. Compared to other methods, such as pour-on insecticides or sprays, cattle oilers are less labor-intensive and require less frequent application, saving you time and money in the long run.
Gathering up your herd to run them through a chute to manually apply insecticide is very labor intensive, dangerous to both animal and man, and can cause undue stress which can affect eating habits and overall health. An oiler is an effortless means of making sure your animals are protected.
Easy to use:
Cattle oilers are easy to install and use. They usually hang overhead and as the cattle pass from one area to another, the mops coat their face and backs with the insecticide. There are many different types in use, but a traditional oil-based solution will be dispensed through a mop or wick that comes in contact with the animals and be ‘self-applied’! Your animals will be applying protection to themselves!
Environmentally friendly:
Unlike some other pest control methods, cattle oilers are environmentally friendly. They use oil-based solutions that are safe for the cattle and do not contaminate the soil or water on your farm or ranch.
Low maintenance:
Cattle oilers require minimal maintenance. Simply refill the oil-based solution as needed, and replace the wicks or rollers when they become worn.
Types of Cattle Oilers
Barn World carries many different types of oilers. All are effective and easy to use and a choice of which one to use usually comes down to personal preference.
Brush Cattle Oilers
The brush design takes advantage of the natural desire for livestock rubbing. Most animals will appreciate the itch relief and scratching action of the attached brushes and rub against them as they pass. So much so that the top brush of the oiler dispenses liquid when agitated and the cows rub it in themselves.
To supply the pesticide to the brush, a Poly Tank Cattle Oiler uses a polyethylene tank above the arms of the brush. The bottom of the tank has a hose that delivers the liquid to a nozzle in the brush.
The translucent tank allows a rancher to see the remaining fluid level and can easily tell when it needs to be refilled. The design is also available as a Steel Tank Cattle Oiler if preferred.
Mop Cattle Oilers
Mop Oilers also use a tank with a slightly different design. The tank has holes drilled in the sides so when it’s tipped by a passing cow, it releases a small amount of fluid. The tank is wrapped in felt to prevent any runout and drips gently down to the mop. The mop strings absorb the pesticide and hold it for the next application.
Because it won’t dispense without being tipped, the tank needs to be installed at a height where the back of the cow will tilt the tank as it passes. This keeps the felt and the mop saturated for future applications.
Cattle Oilers are so popular for pest and disease control that they’re even made for smaller animals like goats. The Goat Oiler uses a steel tank mounted above a curved brush for smaller animals to enjoy and protect themselves.
It’s extremely important to protect your livestock from pest-carried diseases that are easily transmitted by fleas, ticks, and mites. A cattle oiler can give your animals the protection they need in a fairly inexpensive and labor-free way.
Get a Cattle Oiler at Barn World today and keep your animals and your bottom line healthy all year long!
Barn World | (720) 238-2190 | Sales@BarnWord.com
