[princesslayer]

Hello all,

We have four new Jacob ewes born last year, which are currently mowing the lawn under our orchard.

The shearer is booked for first week of June. Do we need to treat for fly strike or anything else immediately after shearing? We have no full dipping facilities. We don't get them in often so we want to take the opportunity to do a few things/check feet etc while they are in.

Thanks.

[SallyintNorth]

It's best to wait a few weeks after shearing for there to be a little bit of fleece for the fly prep to stick to.  Flies like fleece, and the girls will be bare, so they aren't at risk for a while

The flystrike preventative we use is Crovect.  Here we do not routinely treat adult sheep, only lambs, as the adults have developed some protection, plus they get shorn which massively reduces the risk.  It is very important to read the bottle carefully, to use the correct nozzle and apply it as appropriate for the treatment you are giving.  (It can also be used, but differently applied, for treating actual strike, and for ticks and some lice.)

[Marches Farmer]

Criovect may well do the job - it gives a shorter prevention time than Clik but you'll only need it until the end of the greenbottle season (end September here).  Wait until the fleece is about 1cm long.

[princesslayer]

Thanks both. Is it not essential to do it for adult sheep then? We are in the south and in a reasonably boggy area.

[Badger Nadgers]

Thanks both. Is it not essential to do it for adult sheep then? We are in the south and in a reasonably boggy area.

I'd suggest you do them.  Might want to check to see if anyone else around there has some spare if you've only the four to do.

The ones I have on the hill, I leave for a couple of weeks after shearing, then Clik them, apart from the more skittish ones who I know will be a pain to get in again who get done on the day.  Another practical concern is the weather as the combination of wind and rain up here is like a car wash.  The commercial guys next to me shear, worm and Clik or Crovect on the day.

The ones I have lower down I'll do straight away, as it's more sheltered, warmer and more prone to flies. 

[princesslayer]

Breaking news, my neighbour just told me she lost a sheep to flystrike last week, and she only had four.  She had used crovect.  I'm liking the look of Clik, apparently you can use it straight after shearing.

I haven't been able to actually get them in penned in to handle them yet - they are quite flighty and only been with us a few weeks.  I'm now panicking that they are already struck!  Will be rushing down there this evening with some dagging shears if possible to give them a good looking over.