4 Things That Cause Wool To Fall off Sheep

Wool loss can be a grave problem for sheep owners. However, understanding the possible reasons behind it can help tackle the issue successfully.

Wool can fall off sheep due to external parasites, such as lice or scab mites. Photosensitization resulting from photosensitive chemicals in sheep’s skin can also lead to wool loss, as well as other forms of dermatitis (such as lumpy wool). Copper or cobalt deficiency can also cause the wool to fall off.

In this article, I will explain four possible reasons for wool loss in sheep backed by studies and evidence from experienced vets and farmers. Read on to discover what could be behind your sheep being itchy and losing wool.

1. External Parasites

One of the most common reasons for wool loss in sheep is external parasites, mainly lice and scab mites. Among other symptoms, external parasites cause skin irritation and scratching, which is how you can tell they are the problem.

Scab mites cause severe wool loss due to the sheep pulling it out and biting it off. This happens because of the extreme irritation, which also leads to restlessness. The presence of the parasite first manifests through a small patch of reddened skin, and you may spot yellow or greenish swelling.

The infection initially spreads fast but then slows down, and the affected surface gradually grows over time. If the wool loss is accompanied by similar symptoms, it is likely that scab mites are at fault.

The most reliable way to determine that scab mite infection is indeed the case is by finding the parasites on the animal. Typically, scab mites can be easily seen on the sheep’s skin, but they could also hide a few centimetres into the wool itself, making them harder to spot.

Lice, on the other hand, can quickly spread in dry seasons. Large infestations are typical in fall and winter. Since the animals remain in constant contact, the parasites spread quickly. Paired with the sheep’s poor state, which is sometimes the case in cold seasons, this results in infections that cause severe problems, including wool loss.

Like scab mites, lice cause skin irritation. One of the signs the animals are affected by parasites is seeing them rubbing against fences or biting themselves, which sometimes leads to them biting the wool off.

The best way to fight external parasites is through dipping. You should do this either three weeks before shearing or right after.

2. Photosensitization

Photosensitization is another condition that can cause wool loss. It is most common in white-coloured animals and in less-pigmented areas of skin and wool. It occurs due to photosensitive chemicals in sheep’s skin coming into contact with sunlight.

Typically, these chemicals enter the animal’s system through food, but the disease could also start from contact. Photosensitization is essentially dermatitis, and the symptoms mainly include edema and lesions, sometimes accompanied by wool loss.

There are three types of photosensitization: primary, secondary, and aberrant. 

Primary photosensitization is caused by chemicals that already exist in certain plants and can be turned into toxins when exposed to sunlight. 

Secondary photosensitization occurs when initially non-photosensitive compounds get transformed into toxins as a result of metabolism. When the liver fails to excrete these toxins, they start to gather in the animal’s blood, eventually leading to the disease.

All three types are caused by different kinds of photosensitive chemicals but have similar symptoms. The areas where the skin is most exposed (ears, eyelids, and tails) usually suffer first. If left untreated, the disease keeps progressing, eventually causing tissue necrosis.

The first thing to do if an animal is suffering from photosensitization is to remove toxic plants from its diet and limit exposure to sunlight. You may also want to move the sheep to a barn or another place where they can rest in the shade and feed them with hay, avoiding all greens. For further treatment, it is essential to consult a vet.

3. Mineral Deficiency

Mineral deficiency is another common cause of wool loss in sheep. It is a broad term that denotes insufficient amounts of various types of minerals essential for the animals’ growth and health.

A couple of examples include copper and cobalt deficiency. The latter is accompanied by symptoms often associated with a poor diet, such as:

Lack of cobalt also means the sheep can’t successfully absorb vitamin B-12, another essential microelement.

Copper deficiency is another common condition that often occurs when iron, sulfur, and molybdenum are prevalent. They tend to suppress copper, resulting in poor fleece or wool loss.

It is important to ensure that all nutrients, vitamins, and microelements are present in the diet in sufficient quantities. If you suspect that your sheep are suffering from mineral deficiency, contact a vet to determine what you must do about it.

Cobalt is typically supplied to the animals orally, while copper can be effectively injected. However, it is vital to remember that excess copper is toxic to sheep, so any treatment decisions should be made only after consulting a specialist.