296 Sheep-Farming 



other sheep were placed in the same stable, and no 

 further appearance of the ailment was seen. 



The tick. — Ticks, to the discredit of flockowners, 

 are still very common and are the cause of great loss 

 not directly through death, but by interfering with 

 the thrift of the animals. As with the scab mite, 

 there is no excuse for permitting them to annoy the 

 flock. They yield readily to the same treatment as 

 the scab mite. A second dipping will be necessary 

 to catch those that were in the egg stage at the time 

 of the first dipping. Ten days should intervene 

 between the two. 



Sheep lice. — The sheep louse is less common than 

 the tick, yet is occasionally found, especially upon 

 goats. It is much smaller than the tick, but large 

 enough to be seen with the naked eye. The same dips 

 recommended for the tick will eradicate the louse. 



Maggots. — These are the larval form of the blow- 

 fly. They are a serious annoyance and cause of 

 loss during the hot summer months, especially 

 among flocks suffering from any hoof ailment. 

 They also annoy rams or any other sheep with sores 

 or with offensive odor about them. A sheep once 

 invaded by them needs prompt and persistent atten- 

 tion, or it will soon succumb. Eggs will hatch within 

 twenty-four hours, and when flies have once gotten 

 after a sheep, they persist in depositing eggs upon it 

 until it succumbs. Flocks so annoyed should be 

 removed to a new field. The removal is best made 



