[Hillview Farm]

I've got a large and wooly ewe lamb who is acting out of charactor. shes holding her head low (shes very alert) then will suddenly go into a trace and cock her head then will carry on as normal. Shes been breathing heavier today as its rather warm and has wiggled her tail a few times which made me think strike! I caught her and couldn't see anything on her rear end or sholders.

Is she just hot? Got strike and I haven't found it? Any advice please!

[Marches Farmer]

Could be.  When they're in full fleece it can be very hard to spot the first maggots.  If she rubs her back/shoulders against a fence post or waggles her tail it may give you a clue.  If the weather's been bad enough for fleece rot they can be found in a sort of mayoral chain shape over the shoulders and around the brisket but the tail area is more likely.  Nights are still cool so it's likely to be small numbers for a while yet, depending on where you are.

[SteveHants]

You can usually smell strike if you get close enough to handle the ewe....feel the wool for any wetness.

[Hazelwood Flock]

She could just be on 'fly alert', I often see them standing as if challenging an invisible foe then stamping and flicking at passing flies. Keep an eye on her....

[Pedwardine]

Mine have been bothered by mozzies and midges already. They do an odd itchy dance stamping their feet, 'specially the boys who I think get todger bother! Anything like that?

[Hillview Farm]

No wetness or smells, is fleece rot possible as they are housed?

Tgank you for replies, put my mind to rest!

[colliewoman]

Are you 100% sure she isn't in lamb

[sh3ph3rd]

My damara lamb does what you're describing. She puts her head low and freezes as she stares at an insect, eyebrows up and ears cocked forward, then either 'chases' it with her face or does a stompy dance. I've never seen her do it minus an insect. She hates bugs. At least she'll never grow a proper fleece and be in danger that way.

[Hillview Farm]

Shes defo not in lamb  got her in dec and the lady kept two ewe lambs as pets with no other sheep for miles (middle of a town)

Its very odd isn't it sh3ph3rd!

[SteveHants]

Probably its because it is warm, lots of mine like a rub on a fence when it gets sunny - winter will have been cold and kept the fleece tight to the skin.

[Marlboro]

My hoggs behave like that, they get a bit over heated when the sun comes out and of course they have so much wool. Spent ages worrying about it last year but now it's just something that happens. I have told them to get in the shade and somewhere with a bit of wind but they are not very obedient.