Fly strike is the biggest problem with undocked tails. In Great Britain the
weather is milder so its less of a concern.
There are a lot of things to take into account, mostly size of flock, diet
and marketability as store lambs if that's the way you want to go.
I've always found that a small flock of 100 ewes you don't need to but any
bigger and its more difficult to catch the fly strike early enough.
Ed
Can anyone tell me what the most efficient, serious producers do about sheep
tails? Do they dock them, or do they find it not worth the trouble?
I recall seeing sheep all over northern Scotland with long tails, and
gathered it isn't worth the effort there. Will I kick myself if we skip
tail docking in mid-Vermont?
thanks, Ann in Vermont
