Farm Animal Welfare

Sheep Headfly Welfare Management

Prevention and management of headfly-related welfare problems in sheep including wound prevention and treatment approaches.

Key Facts

Headfly (Hydrotaea irritans) causes head wounds by feeding on secretions around eyes and horns
Head wounds become strike-prone and cause significant welfare harm
Pour-on insecticides and wound dressings reduce headfly impacts
Sheep with horns are more susceptible to headfly-related wounds
Selecting for polled (hornless) breeds reduces headfly wound risk

Welfare Considerations

Headfly causes welfare harm in sheep through repeated feeding that causes wounds, secondary infection, and blowfly strike risk. Prevention through targeted insecticide application and wound management reduces welfare impact. Longer-term solutions including selection for polled genetics reduce susceptibility and provide permanent welfare benefits without ongoing treatment burden.

What You Can Do

Support farms with proactive headfly prevention programmes
Advocate for welfare standards that include headfly management plans
Engage with research on non-insecticide headfly control methods