Farm Animal Welfare

Sheep Fly Strike Prevention Through Dagging

Fly strike (cutaneous myiasis) is one of the most serious acute welfare emergencies in sheep, and dagging - removing soiled wool around the breech - is a critical prevention strategy.

Key Facts

Blowfly strike can kill a sheep within 2-3 days if untreated
Lucilia sericata is the primary blowfly responsible for strike in UK sheep
Soiled wool around the breech is the primary attractant for egg-laying flies
Dagging removes the primary attractant and is highly effective as prevention
Chemical preventives applied correctly provide 6-16 weeks of protection

Welfare Considerations

Fly strike is one of the most horrific welfare emergencies in livestock farming. Maggots burrow into living flesh, releasing toxins that can cause systemic shock. Affected sheep are in extreme distress. Prevention through dagging, maintaining clean fleeces, strategic use of preventive chemicals, and blowfly monitoring is far preferable to treating established strike, which requires intense effort even when detected early.

What You Can Do

Ensure sheep are dagged before the fly season begins
Support farmers with blowfly risk monitoring and preventive treatment advice
Choose lamb from farms with documented fly strike prevention programmes