Sheep Flystrike Prevention and Welfare

Flystrike is one of the most painful and rapidly fatal welfare emergencies in sheep, requiring vigilant preventive management and rapid treatment protocols.

Key Facts

Flystrike occurs when blowflies lay eggs in damp or soiled wool, producing maggots that feed on flesh
Affected sheep can die within 24-48 hours if untreated due to tissue destruction and toxin absorption
Merino breeds are particularly susceptible due to their wrinkled skin holding moisture
Prevention includes crutching to remove soiled wool, pour-on insecticides, and wound treatment
Daily checking of at-risk animals during warm humid weather is essential
Mulesing in Merino sheep has been used to reduce susceptibility but raises significant welfare concerns

Welfare Considerations

Flystrike causes extreme pain and death within days if undetected. The primary welfare challenge in prevention is the labour intensity of daily checking required during high-risk periods - economic pressures on sheep farming create incentives to reduce labour that directly increase flystrike risk. Early detection through regular inspection is the single most effective welfare measure. The challenge of prevention has driven interest in genetic selection for reduced susceptibility as a long-term solution that reduces both flystrike risk and the need for chemical preventives.

What You Can Do

Support sheep farmers with robust flystrike prevention and monitoring programmes
Advocate for minimum checking frequency standards during high-risk periods in farm assurance schemes
Support research into genetic selection for blowfly resistance in sheep breeds
Choose wool products from producers who can demonstrate high welfare flystrike management