Warmer weather and longer days, summer time is not always a walk in the park. As a caretaker of our flock of mixed lowland sheep, I have a new enemy to contend with at this time of year.
Flystrike occurs when flies lay their eggs in the sheeps’ fleece- usually around their rear end and as a result of them being dirty. Then, when conditions are correct, the eggs hatch and the maggots will literally eat the sheep. A keen eye is necessary to avoid extensive damage being done.
Our primary weapon against this awful thing, is to treat the sheep with a spray on solution that will deter the flies. This is one of those times where prevention is most definitely better than cure!
While checking the sheep, this little poem came to me... I often have words and dialogues running through my head. Here's a glimpse of some of the nonsense thoughts that were running through my head today!
Bye Bye Fly
Bye bye fly -
Please go away.
Find another field,
Another flock, another day.
Don’t be laying near me -
On my tender sheepie’s bums:
You’re hurting all my livestock,
Both the youngsters and their mums!
Laying all your eggs there,
In your cosy back-end nest,
Bringing forth voracious maggots -
It’s really, really not the best!
So we watch and wait and check,
We shave those bums to make them clean,
Because to leave your nasty eggs there -
Would be thoughtless and quite mean!
Bye bye fly!
Please go away!
There are better places for you!
On you go, now - Go! I say!
