Parasite-control system
Sheep-Dip Bath
Whole-flock pesticide immersion
What it is
Sheep are driven into a bath of pesticide and pushed under, or run through a shower or spray race that soaks the fleece. The chemical kills mites, lice, ticks, and the scab parasite living in the skin.
Where it sits in the system
Dipping the whole flock in a single pass stops contagious skin disease moving through the group. One run through the bath treats every animal at once.
Welfare concern
Being forced under the surface distresses sheep, and rough handling through the race adds to it. Wrong concentration, swallowed fluid, contaminated equipment, or operator error can poison the animals and the people working them.
Worth being precise about
Parasite control has a genuine health purpose, and this is not a procedure without benefit to the animal. What varies between farms is the product, the handling, the protective equipment, the disposal, and whether a vet is involved.
