THE IMPORTANCE OF SHEEP DIPPING.

Shannon News, 10 March 1925, Page 1

THE IMPORTANCE OF SHEEP DIPPING.

Tlie wet and changeable weather of the last few weeks has considerably delayed dipping and the first opportunity of a suitable day should be taken advantage off to carry out the dipping of the flock. One of the most important operations in the management of sheep is the annual dipping. It is the interest of every sheep owner to ensure that his flocks are efficiently dipped—that is, dipped so that the sheep Will remain clean until the following shearing. ! Great care should be taken to follow out the instructions on the packet or drum, as probably 50 per cent, of failures in dipping are due to owners neglecting to carry out the manufacturers’ instructions. One of the most common causes of failure is insufficient immersion. Each sheep should be held for at least one minute in the bath. This is absolutely necessary to obtain effective results.

Another cause of failure is dipping in a dirty bath. Nothing reduces the strength of a dip like filth, which also seriously affects the character of the wool. The bath should be clean* ed out at intervals, It is impossible to lay down a hard-and-fast rule regarding the number of sheep passing through the bath before it requires cleaning, as this depends entirely on the condition of the animals. It only requires a limited number of sheep that have been travelled long distances, railed or shipped, to make the bath absolutely filthy. A very serious mistake that is often made is the practice of making up a dip 75 per cent, poisonous and 25 per cent. non-poisonous. These two classe of dip are composed of entirely different constituents, and the one does not increase the strength of the other. A dip so constituted should be classed only as of 75 per cent, strength, and I am certain that the condition of numbers of tick or lice infested sheep is due to this cause. The poisonous dip should be made full strength, with 25 per cent, liquid carbolic dip added. This is especially beneficial where the water is hard. Water can also be softened by the addition of about 31b. of washing-soda to every 100 gallons of water, or soap may be added until the water on stirring.

Buies for Dipping. The following rules should be strictly observed in dipping: (1) Avoid dipping in wet weather; (2) meaure accurately the bath-water; (3) dissolve thoroughly powder dip before using; (4) mix the dip properly; (5) thoroughly stir the bath; (6) immerse sheep for at least one minute; (7> use the dip full strength; (8) never dip in a dirty bath; (9) if sheep are affected with lice, dip again at a fortnight’s interval, as the eggs will hatch in about ten days; (10) on no account should a dog that is inclined' to heel the sheep be allowed in the yards when dipping asi this is one of the chief causes of blood-poisoning.