Document type: scientific synthesis published in Applied Animal Behaviour Science
Authors: Muraina, Borbala Foris
Abstract in French (translation): Grooming with brushes in cattle: an analysis of benefits, influencing factors, and monitoring options
Grooming in cattleplays an essential role in maintaining hygiene and social relationships. Brushes are provided on farms as part of environmental enrichment to facilitate grooming. It has been suggested that brushing, as a behavior not essential for survival, decreases in the event of illness and could therefore serve as an indicator of well-being. However, a synthesis of scientific data regarding the optimal provision of brushes and their role in improving and monitoring well-being is needed. This review 1) synthesizes data on cattle use of brushes in various production systems while identifying key influencing factors, 2) evaluates associations between brush use and welfare, and 3) presents monitoring tools and avenues for further research on the role of brushing in welfare monitoring. Cattle are inclined to use brushes, which improves coat hygiene and may promote relaxation. However, data on benefits for production traits such as milk production or weight gain are limited. Brush use is sensitive to time and energy constraints; however, data regarding changes in response to disease are inconclusive. While some studies have reported a decrease in brush use associated with lameness, respiratory diseases, or metritis, responses depend on disease severity, environmental context, and the specific brush-use variable considered, and not all studies have found differences between healthy and sick cattle. Brush usage levels also vary among groups and healthy individuals depending on the stage of production, housing system, and dominance, highlighting the need for individualized benchmarks for assessing well-being. Additional data are needed to clarify in which contexts brushes contribute to promoting or monitoring positive welfare. The integration of automated measures of brush use into welfare assessment and behavioral studies could help clarify its role in improving and monitoring welfare.
Preview: Grooming in cattle serves important functions in maintaining hygiene and social relationships. Brushes are provided on farms as environmental enrichment to facilitate grooming. It has been suggested that brushing, as a behavior not necessary for survival, declines in association with illness and could thus serve as welfare indicator. However, an overview of the scientific evidence about optimal brush provision and their role in improving and monitoring welfare is missing. This review 1) synthesizes evidence on cattle brush use across production systems while identifying main influencing factors, 2) evaluates associations between brush use and welfare, and 3) outlines monitoring tools and areas for further research on the role of brushing in welfare surveillance. Cattle are motivated to use brushes, which improve coat hygiene, and may promote relaxation. However, evidence on the benefits for production traits such as milk yield or weight gain is limited. Brush use is sensitive to time and energy constraints; however, the evidence regarding changes in response to illness is inconclusive. While some studies reported suppressed brush use in association with lameness, respiratory disease, or metritis, responses depend on disease severity, environmental context, and the brush use variable considered, and not all studies found a difference between healthy and sick cattle. Brush use levels also vary across healthy groups and individuals according to production stage, housing system, and dominance, underlining the need for individualized baselines for welfare assessment. Further evidence is needed to clarify in which settings brushes help induce or monitor positive welfare. Integrating automated measures of brush use into welfare assessment and behavioral studies could help refine its role in welfare improvement and surveillance.
