Scraggy, scratchy, itchy sheep

The tell tale signs are once again to the fore, 'tis the time of year, not only trees draped with tinsel but sheep draped with wool

Have to say these two seem to have got somewhat carried away festooning their horns but then they must have been particularly itchy to have managed to gather as much wool.

The bane of lice came into the valley once again this winter, probably earlier than last year, there were signs of sheep being lousy when ewes were gathered for the tup in November, the signs become more apparent as time goes on.

Until the worst affected end up looking a scraggy mess.

Unfortunately, the weather hasn't been the most co operative, there seems to have been much rain coming out of the sky. Once again though I still cannot find any reference on the containers which suggests the product should not be used on wet wool or when raining, due to necessity these sheep found themselves treated when their wool was indeed damp and showers persisted all day, as there are no contraindications on the packaging relating to the weather conditions when the product is used I can only conclude it will not cause any adverse affects.

The seasons come around every year, I find myself once again dealing with lousy sheep, squirting a cypemethrin chemical on their backs to kill off those irritating lice. There is no doubt that this does not eradicate the creatures, or why else would we find ourselves having to treat the sheep as frequently?

Those who plunge dipped in the back end don't seem to be having any problems with lice, unfortunately dip now has a 70 day withdrawal period attached to it which is a long duration to find you can't sell sheep for slaughter. Unless waiting until later in the year when the breeding flock is spaened (weaned) and keeled, this 70 day withdrawal could be quite a hindrance to sheep farmers, preventing lambs and cull ewes from going to market, a great shame when at the moment plunge dipping is the most successful approach to dealing with external parasites.

Once again there are sheep throughout the countryside sporting a stripe down their backs, doesn't last that long as the die does weaken but for a day or two at least it is apparent to all who set eyes upon them that they have received treatment for external parasites.

New Years Day saw me enjoying this view. Like a bear with a sore head I was, not due to over indulgence as an early night had been the call on old years night, more due to a problem with my surround sound system (I'll leave you to work that one out!), anyhow, the fireside for company alongside the view out of the sitting room window was the order of the day.

'Twas the view which kept me amused for quite some time. Sheep (sad I know!) - one commenced rubbing her right side along a stone wall, she eventually turned and scrubbed her left side along the wall, finally she turned her rump to the wall and gave her backside a good old scratch an' all. Was quite comical to watch it has to be said. There was another which singled out a telegraph pole, a new twist to pole dancing - as she scrubbed her way around, turning and trying the pole from a different angle, very sad the things that can amuse one, especially someone acting like a bear with a sore head!! No doubt the sheep in their own right were feeling as uncomfortable as I was. let's hope we all get some relief shortly.