Mulesing in Sheep

What is Mulesing?

Mulesing is the process of removing folds of wool-bearing skin from the tail area of a sheep (Figure 1), intended to reduce fly strike (compassion in world farming, 2020). Once the area is healed, scar tissue no longer produces wool in this area. Therefore, stool and mud that attracts parasites is no longer present. Mulesing is done on lambs between 6-10 weeks old and carried out at the same time as castration and tail docking (RSPCA, 2020). It is a common method used in Australia, where flystrike is a major problem with humid hot weather. Although not a popular method used around the world, New Zealand phrased this method out in 2018 based on animal cruelty (Frost 2018).

How is Mulesing is performed?

A crested shape is cut on the lamb’s breech and tail area. Mulesing is done without anaesthesia and give little pain relief to the lamb (Phillips, 2009). Although the procedure is quick the pain caused can last for several weeks and takes the wound at least 7 days to scab over. This invasive procedure has become unpopular method and alternatives have been on the rise and bans put in place (Sneddon and Rollin, 2010). In 2018 New Zealand issues a ban on mulesing under the Animal Welfare (Care and Procedures) Act. Whereas the State of Victoria have implemented that pain relief must be given to the sheep. If this is not complied with the offender can be fined a maximum of 500 dollars (Sim, 2019).  

Welfare Concerns

There are many welfare concerns that surround mulesing, especially during the procedure itself. The pain caused is not acute and can last several days. Along with the pain the Sheep will experience stress from being restrained and caught (Hargreaves and Hutson, 1990). This distress can have lasting affects on the sheep, for example having a stress response anytime it is around people, as the sheep will remember the pain and stress from this procedure. Lee and Fisher (2007) stated that the stress response caused by mulesing can last for up to 48 hours. They also noticed that sheep can have a loss of appetite for two weeks and noticeable look skinnier. However, they did conclude that the stress caused by mulesing did not peak as high as castration. Highlighting it is not the most stressful procedures lambs endure in the first few weeks of their lives. However, it shows the importance of sourcing alternative as all this stress has an affect on the lamb and minimising the stress is important for their welfare.

Another welfare concern is the effect on the Sheep after the procedure, the scar tissue is left exposed and susceptible to skin irritation and sensitivity (Phillips, 2009). This is closely linked to the concern of post mulesing arthritis. Many farmers notice inflamed joints in mulesed lambs (Figure 2), and some become lame, they would find it difficult to move and reach food and water. This is even fatal for some lambs; some die shortly after mulesing without showing any signs until moments before death (Curran, 2012). The cause was narrowed down to several factors, from the weather and conditions the lambs were in and mother ewes licking the wounds and causing them to become infected. This is natural behaviour for an ewe to lick her lamb and therefore could not be stopped but had to be closely monitored. Consequently, the wound after a lamb is mulesed is a welfare concerned as it can become infected easily if not looked after properly.

Alternatives.

An alternative to mulesing is skin injections, this is where chemicals are injected in the skin stopping wool growth and tightening the skin to make it less attractive to blowflies (Adelaide, 2019). This is a new concept and is still in clinical trials, therefore, it could be sometime until it is ready for it to be available. However, if the trials are successful this could be a less invasive way to mulesing and not cause a wound that can become infected. Also, it would also minimise the amount of stress to the sheep.

Finally, another alternative to mulesing is chemical fly repellents, this a formula that is sprayed onto the sheep that is a repellent to blowflies. Therefore, flies will not land and lay eggs on the sheep, preventing flystrike (Edwards et al., 2011). However, the spray only lasts for 3 months and must be continually reapplied for it to be effective. which can become expensive and time consuming. Although, this method is the least stressful and invasive to the sheep.

To conclude, mulesing is an invasive procedure that inflicts pain to sheep. Although it is effective in what it aims to achieve, there are multiple other methods and alternatives that can protect Sheep from flystrike that are less invasive and involve minimal if not any pain.

Referencing

Adelaide (2019) Mulesing of Sheep. Available at: https://anzccart.adelaide.edu.au/system/files /media/documents/2019-07/casestudymulesing.pdf [Accessed on 03/11/2020]

Compassion in World Farming (2020) Farm Animals: Sheep Welfare. Available at:https://www.ciwf.org.uk/farm-animals/sheep/sheepwelfare/#:~:text=Mulesing%20is%20the% 20surgical%20removal,and%20infections%20caused%20by%20blowflies [Accessed on 03/11/2020].

Edwards, L.E., Arnold, N.A., Butler, K.L. and Hemsworth, P.H., (2011). Acute effects of mulesing and alternative procedures to mulesing on lamb behaviour. Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 133(3-4), pp.169-174.

Frost, K. (2018) New Zealand prohibits the practice of mulesing in sheep. Available at: https://www.farmonline.com.au/story/5635654/new-zealand-bansmulesing/#:~:text=The% 20banning%20of%20mulesing%20sheep,effect%20from%20October%201%2C%202018.&text=The%20New%20Zealand%20industry%20began,production%20by%20animal%20rights%20activists [Accessed on 03/11/2020].

Hargreaves, A.L. and Hutson, G.D., (1990). The stress response in sheep during routine handling procedures. Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 26(1-2), pp.83-90.

Lee, C. and Fisher, A.D., (2007). Welfare consequences of mulesing of sheep. Australian Veterinary Journal, 85(3), pp.89-93.

Phillips, C.J., (2009). A review of mulesing and other methods to control flystrike (cutaneous myiasis) in sheep. Animal Welfare, 18(2), pp.113-121.

Robson, S., (2003). Bacterial arthritis in lambs. NSW Agriculture.

RSPCA (2020) What is the RSPCA’s view on mulesing and flystrike prevention in sheep? Available at: https://kb.rspca.org.au/knowledge-base/what-is-the-rspcas-view-on-mulesing-and-flystrike-prevention-insheep/#:~:text=Mulesing%20is%20a%20painful%20procedure,of%20bare%2C%20 stretched%20scar%20tissue [Accessed on 03/11/2020]

Sim, T. (2019) Victoria is first to mandate pain relief when mulesing sheep. Available at: https://www.sheepcentral.com/victoria-is-first-to-mandate-pain-relief-for-mulesing-sheep/ [Accessed on 03/11/2020]

Sneddon, J. and Rollin, B., (2010). Mulesing and animal ethics. Journal of Agricultural and Environmental Ethics, 23(4), pp.371-386.