[ThomasR]

Hi I had someone looking at sheep and they liked them but then one caught there eye and tree was a patch on her head starting from her horn which was sort of greyish bald. I have been told that this is fly strike but was not sure l if it is fly strike how do I deal with it, I have been told that she will just scratch it raw?

[Herdygirl]

If its sore then if you can catch her put a bit of sudocreme on it.  It will protect the area while it heals.  if there is no soreness then it could have been struck earlier in the season and the maggots have gone.  SallyintheNorth is more experienced than most regarding this, (and I mean that in a good way) certainly more than me as I have had no experience of headflies (as yet, i am sure that it will come).

[SallyintNorth]

Headflies nibble on at skin that's at all rough - old scars and scabs are favourite - until they make it bleed, then feed on it.  They mostly don't lay eggs - although it does happen, particularly in broken horns - but their incessant nibbling drives the sheep to distraction, stopping them grazing and sometimes causing them to rub their heads causing further issues.

So a spray of Crovect on their heads is a very worthwhile precaution.

[Fieldfare]

I have had these flies really bothering my Castlemilk tup a few days ago- no maggots- but he looked like he was going to go mentally ill with the annoyance! I smothered the area in sudocrem and it did the trick (and less toxic to the environment than Crovect- but of course less long acting so a careful watch is needed in case any maggots do hatch).

[ThomasR]

Ok guys thanks rounding them all up tomorrow will give her a spray of correct then a coating of sudacreme. I can't se any maggots and no bleeding yet just looks bald.