Automated grooming brushes for dairy cows represent a simple and effective welfare enhancement that promotes positive welfare states and natural body care behaviour.
Automated grooming brushes exemplify positive welfare provision at low cost and with clear evidence of benefit. Cows queue to use them and show specific approach and engagement behaviours that indicate appetitive motivation. The physiological evidence of stress reduction associated with brush use confirms that this is a genuine welfare benefit rather than merely a behavioural preference. For stall-housed dairy cows unable to access vegetation for natural grooming, brushes address a genuine deprivation. The cost-benefit calculation strongly favours brush provision, particularly given associated milk hygiene improvements. Grooming brush access is increasingly required by welfare certification schemes.