I agree that it is biting flies or other bothersome flying insects. I don't seem to have biting flies all spring and summer, they tend to come in spurts. The times when I am getting bitten are the same times I notice the sheep behaving in the same manner you described. From watching them it is obvious to me something is after them.
They almost appear to be playing tag with it. One will jump up and run thru several others.... stop, motionless with nose to ground.... then another will take off and do the same and so on. Chris B -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Carol J. Elkins Sent: Thursday, May 13, 2004 11:21 PM To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Re: [blackbelly] ILLNESS? Some people will tell you this is nose bots. However, I've noticed that my sheep start doing this about the same time the small black biting flies come out in the spring. They drive my sheep nuts all spring and summer. After the first major frost kills the flies, my sheep no longer run around like crazed grasshoppers. But, this may simply be coincidental and the sheep may, indeed, have nose bots. Apparently the only solution to nose bots is worming the sheep with Ivermectin, which kills the fly larvae with varying degrees of success. Since I choose not to worm my sheep, this is not an option. You can learn more about nose bots by doing a Google search for "nose bots" + sheep. Carol At 07:50 PM 5/13/2004 -0700, you wrote: >I am new to raising sheep, got my first one almost 1 year ago. I have >noticed lately that our sheep are running around with their heads clear >down close to the ground. They will be grazing or laying down acting just >fine, then they suddenly start walking fast, kind of running with their >heads down to a different spot then stand there with their head down. They >don't all do it at the same time but I have see all 5 of them do it at >one time or another. They eat fine and act fine otherwise. Any idea what >this is and what can be done. Carol Elkins Critterhaven Estate Registered Barbados Blackbelly Hair Sheep (no shear, no dock, no fuss) Pueblo, Colorado http://www.critterhaven.biz T-shirts, mugs, caps, and more at the Barbados Blackbelly Online Store http://www.cafepress.com/blackbellysheep =============================================== This message is from the Barbados Blackbelly Sheep mailing list (http://www.awrittenword.com/listserv/index.html). To respond to this message, send e-mail to [EMAIL PROTECTED] To unsubscribe or change your membership options, go to http://lists.coyotenet.net/mailman/listinfo/blackbelly To search the archives, go to http://www.mail-archive.com/[EMAIL PROTECTED]/ =============================================== This message is from the Barbados Blackbelly Sheep mailing list (http://www.awrittenword.com/listserv/index.html). To respond to this message, send e-mail to [EMAIL PROTECTED] To unsubscribe or change your membership options, go to http://lists.coyotenet.net/mailman/listinfo/blackbelly To search the archives, go to http://www.mail-archive.com/[EMAIL PROTECTED]/
