title: The effects of artificially-induced fly-strike on food intake and liveweight gain in sheep.
abstract: A single, artificially-induced fly-strike with Lucilia sericata larvae was associated with a rapid (decline in food intake in sheep, with a consequent reduction in liveweight. Loss of weight ranged from 0.5 to 5.5 kg over four to six days and recovery to pre-infestation liveweight took three to 36 days. Pair-fed, uninfested partners of these sheep also showed a reduction in liveweight, whereas uninfested sheep in some experiments fed ad libitum showed either little change or a gain in liveweight over the same period. In general, maggot infested sheep took less time to regain weight than did their pair-fed partners although the weight lost as a proportion of initial weight was similar in both groups. Loss of appetite alone would appear to account for these events.
authors: Wallaceville Animal Research Centre, Research Division, Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, Private Bag, Upper Hutt.
authors: A C
authors: AC
authors: Heath
authors: D M
authors: DM
authors: Bishop
authors: J D
authors: JD
authors: Tenquist