THE SHEEP INDUSTRY ON THE MINIDOKA PROJECT. 21 
kind of protection must be provided for the sheep. High fences 
which are proof against coyotes or dogs furnish effective protec- 
tion. In some parts of the project it is necessary to confine the 
flock in a good corral during the night. It is important that present 
and prospective sheep growers have clearly in mind the possibility 
of damage by dogs. In certain sections of the United States the 
damage from this source has become serious, and it is therefore 
recommended that irrigation farmers provide ample protection for 
their sheep. 
External parasites.—The common external parasites of sheep are 
lice, ticks, and the scab mite. Of the three, the scab mite is the most 
important. This mite burrows under the skin of the sheep and causes 
the formation of scabs. Suspected cases should be reported to the 
State or Federal inspectors, who will examine the sheep and if 
scab is present superintend the dipping.!’ The sheep louse is rarely 
found on the Minidoka project, but ticks are very numerous. By 
sucking the blood of the sheep, these pests reduce the animal’s 
vitality, interfere seriously with the thriftiness of the flock, and 
retard the growth of lambs. In view of the serious damage caused 
by these parasites, it is surprising to note that on many farms the 
flocks are allowed to go unprotected year after year. Some of the 
farms are now equipped with dipping vats, made of wood, galvan- 
ized iron, or concrete, in which the flock may be dipped. These 
vats are 16 inches wide at the bottom, 24 inches wide at the top, 
4 feet deep, and 5 feet long at the bottom and 10 feet long at the 
top, with an inclined bottom at one end. Any of the standard 
sheep dips used according to directions will destroy both lice and 
ticks. It is best to dip the flock just after shearing. If any sheep 
are added to the flock during the summer or if the presence of ticks 
is noticed, the flock should be dipped again in the fall, as the ticks 
increase rapidly during the winter. 
Internal parasites —Important internal parasites are stomach 
worms and small and large tapeworms. Although the stomach 
worm has not been reported on the project, it is believed that its 
absence is due merely to the fact that it has not yet been introduced 
and not to any local conditions unfavorable to the worm. In some 
sections of southern Idaho stomach worms are becoming common, 
A satisfactory method of treatment for this parasite is to drench 
the sheep with a solution made by dissolving 1 pound of copper 
sulphate (blue vitriol) in 10 gallons of water, 1 dram of the copper 
sulphate being sufficient to treat one sheep. Gasoline, adminis- 
tered in doses of from 1 to 3 drams in linseed oil or milk, is another 
effective remedy in general use. To be effective, these treatments 
1A detailed discussion of sheep scab is given in United States Bae eta of ecaee Farmers’ 
Bulletin 713, entitled ‘‘Sheep Scab.”’ 
