Farm Animals

Sheep Dagging and Fly Strike Prevention in Hot Weather

Blowfly strike is a painful and potentially fatal condition in sheep. Prevention through dagging, shearing, and chemical treatments requires seasonal welfare management.

Key Facts

Blowfly strike affects up to 1-3% of UK sheep each year
Calliphora and Lucilia species lay eggs in soiled or moist fleece
Larvae penetrate skin and release toxins causing shock and death if untreated
Dagging (removing soiled wool around the tail) reduces strike risk significantly
Insect growth regulators and organophosphate treatments provide seasonal protection
Electronic monitoring systems now detect strike earlier through movement changes

Welfare Considerations

Blowfly strike causes extreme suffering - maggots feed on living tissue causing acute pain, toxin absorption, and systemic collapse. Affected sheep become dull, isolate from the flock, and show stamping behaviour. Treatment requires manual removal of maggots from wound tissue. Prevention through dagging, chemical protection, and monitoring is the cornerstone of summer flock welfare management.

What You Can Do

Support farms using electronic monitoring for early fly strike detection
Advocate for mandatory strike prevention plans in sheep farm welfare standards
Learn to recognise early signs of fly strike if you work with sheep