Farm Animal Welfare

Sheep Ectoparasite Management Welfare

External parasites including sheep keds, headflies, and ticks cause welfare harm and require integrated management strategies.

Key Facts

Sheep ked (Melophagus ovinus) causes skin irritation and wool damage through feeding
Headfly (Hydrotaea irritans) causes intense irritation around the face and wounds during summer
Ticks transmit louping ill, tick pyaemia, and tick-borne fever causing serious welfare harm
Pour-on insecticides and dipping remain primary control tools for most ectoparasites
Timing of treatment to parasite seasonal activity improves efficacy and reduces treatment frequency

Welfare Considerations

Ectoparasites cause suffering ranging from irritation to severe disease and death. A systematic approach to ectoparasite identification, monitoring, and targeted treatment prevents the chronic stress and welfare deterioration that untreated infestations cause.

What You Can Do

Support sheep farms with comprehensive ectoparasite monitoring and management programs
Advocate for ectoparasite control in sheep welfare certification standards
Choose wool and lamb from farms demonstrating good ectoparasite management