DOCKING AND CASTRATING 35 



the lamb, holding it between his legs with its head behind him. 

 With the thumb and finger of left hand pull the skin at the 

 root of the tail toward the lamb's body, and snip off the tail, 

 leaving a stub about one inch long. When the skin is released 

 by the left hand it moves back and helps to cover over the wound. 

 Always disinfect the hands and shears before operating. 



Have the disinfecting fluid in a large pan and lay the shears 

 in the pan while not using them; also dip the hands in the pan. 



Castrating 



A pair of sharp shears with a stiff spring are better than a 

 knife for use in castrating young lambs. 



Keep a close watch on the lambs after docking and castrating 

 that maggots do not get in the wounds. 



Sore Eyes 



Young lambs sometimes have sore eyes. Don't neglect them. 



Wash them with a mild solution of sheep dip. 



Often sore eyes are caused by the eyelid 's rolling in and irritating 

 the ball. This trouble is frequent with Merinos, both lambs and 

 older sheep. 



This can be cured by nipping out with a pair of sharp shears 

 a "button hole" about one inch long and one-quarter inch wide 

 in the skin above or below, whichever Ud it should be. 



Cut close to the lid but not too deep. 



As the "button hole" heals the skin is drawn back, pulling the 

 lid open. 



WARM WEATHER BRINGS MAGGOTS 



Maggots hatch from the eggs of the blow fly. Blow flies are 

 apt to lay their eggs in the wool on any part of the sheep's body if 

 the wool is kept wet by continued rains. 



Keep the sheep tagged or trimmed so no manure will get 

 on the wool. Watch the sheep closely for maggots. Any 

 good sheep dip will kill them. 



