DIY Scratching Post

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clarkmorefarm

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Maryville, TN
Had a broken 6" round post from my fencing work laying around and found an old trailer tire the previous owners left me in the barn. Was trying to think of ways to keep the cows from trying to scratch on my brand new 5 strand barbed wire fence. I know a hot wire will help with that as well, but I want to get all my fence up prior to running anything for a hot wire.

Anyways, I took the tire and built a form on the bottom with 2 bys and screwed the post to the bottom. Then I took 2 2' pieces of #4 rebar and drilled from the outside of the tire into the post and drove a 12 inch piece of rebar through the tire and into the post at 3, 6, 9, and 12 o'clock. Got two 80 lbs sacks of sakrete, mixed it up and poured it in the tire, let it setup and removed the 2 bys from the bottom. I have room for more sakrete if needed, but figured 160 lbs was a good start.

Found the brushes on amazon and ordered two sets of them. I like that they curve and bend to the post so I could screw them right into the post. I put them slightly offset so the heifers can get them good as well. Bristles are really stiff on the brushes, I figure it will last a while.

Need to pick up some eyebolts so I can hang some fly socks from it in the spring and an easy place to hook a chain to it to drag it. I was able to wrap a chain around it last night and drag it from one pasture to another with the ranger.

So far, the cows approve.

Scratching Post.png
 
bird dog said:
Nice but I think you are underestimating their strength and this will end up on its side more than upright.
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I know they'll knock it over at some point, but easy enough to pick it back up. Still better than rubbing on my fence!

I can always add another bag of concrete to it, and cut the post down more if it is too much leverage. If they want to knock it over, I'm sure they will, but I've watched them use it a few times, they seem to be content with just scratching on the brushes.
 
Mine would have the bristles worn off in 3 days. I would just wrap a bunch of old barbed wire on the post and staple it down.
 
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Mrcopier said:
Or concrete in 2 foot in the ground. Cool idea!,
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I would have just driven a post, but wanted it to be mobile for when I rotate pasture.

We will see how it holds up. I'm only out about $75 for it so far.

Y'all must have some ruffian cattle LOL, guess mine a just big pets in retrospect.
 
clarkmorefarm said:
I would have just driven a post, but wanted it to be mobile for when I rotate pasture.

We will see how it holds up. I'm only out about $75 for it so far.

Y'all must have some ruffian cattle LOL, guess mine a just big pets in retrospect.
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If you can find a big wire spool your could use one side of it on the bottom. Even better if the spool is metal.
 
Travlr said:
If you can find a big wire spool your could use one side of it on the bottom. Even better if the spool is metal.
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Use half a spool as a base. Cattle will hold the spool down while scratching and it won't tip over. That the idea?
 
I have a few of these around. 6x6 post concreted into a semi floater tire. They are very heavy, I'd guess over 1k lbs and the cows move them around and tip them over. More than one of the 6x6s have been broke from being tipped over and abused.
 

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chevytaHOE5674 said:
I have a few of these around. 6x6 post concreted into a semi floater tire. They are very heavy, I'd guess over 1k lbs and the cows move them around and tip them over. More than one of the 6x6s have been broke from being tipped over and abused.
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I'd say its all about leverage then. I know cattle are strong, how tall is yours?
 
chevytaHOE5674 said:
About 6' overall. I've watched my bull push it over with ease with his head so low on the brush that his nose is on the tire.
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Makes sense, I forget to mention I'm not running a bull right now, just 2 bred cows and some heifers.

So far, it's staid upright for 3 days. I'd say when a bull comes around it will likely be knocked over.
 
Almost two months in and hasn't been knocked over yet. They have definitely been using it since their winter coats have come in. They do bounce it around some, but seems to stay upright.

Of course, time will tell :)
 

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