Sheep Farming

Sheep Ectoparasite Management and Welfare

Ectoparasites including lice, mites, and keds cause significant welfare problems in sheep requiring integrated management approaches.

Key Facts

Sheep scab (Psoroptes ovis mite) causes intense pruritus and can be fatal if untreated
Sheep lice cause fleece damage and constant irritation leading to rubbing and biting
Keds (Melophagus ovinus) are wingless flies that cause anaemia in heavily infested lambs
Plunge dipping provides broad-spectrum ectoparasite control
Injectable macrocyclic lactones treat internal and many external parasites simultaneously

Welfare Considerations

Ectoparasite burdens cause constant irritation, disrupted feeding and resting patterns, weight loss, and anaemia. The welfare impact of heavy infestations is severe. Regular monitoring and prompt treatment, combined with biosecurity to prevent introduction, provide both welfare and productivity benefits.

What You Can Do

Support sheep welfare assurance schemes with ectoparasite monitoring requirements
Advocate for compulsory scab treatment programmes in affected regions
Choose lamb from farms with documented ectoparasite management plans