Precautions for dipping sheep

1. Ewes in advanced stage of pregnancy should not be dipped. Should it be necessary to do so, they should be handled gently in small lots.
2. Avoid dipping on rainy days as the dip may be washed off the fleece. Sometimes a dip solution with only bases that can be emulsified in warm water is used so that it will not be washed out by rain; the process being called as “Water proofing dip”.
3. Always water and rest sheep before dipping so that sheep will not drink dip solution.
4. Do not dip sick animals, sheep with open wounds, very young lambs and stock being sent for slaughter.
5. Dip on a day, which is neither too hot nor too cold.
6. Complete each day’s dipping by about 4 p.m. so that the last sheep to go through dip will have some hours in which to dry, before night falls.
7. Have the preparations for dipping completed the previous day, as far as possible and commence dipping early in the morning.
8. Allow sheep fifteen minutes in a draining pen after dipping. The draining pen should drain back into bath to avoid wastage of dip.
9. The rams should not be dipped during breeding season for fear of injury to penis and scalding of thighs.10. Follow manufactures instruction thoroughly for preparation of dip as well as its disposal. Used dip solution should not be allowed to pollute water.
10. The soiled and dung-stained wool on the crutch of sheep should be removed with hand shears before dipping.