The Accidental Smallholder Forum
Livestock => Pigs => Topic started by: harry on April 18, 2012, 09:24:45 pm
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hi...about to take some pigs to slaughter soon... about 11 month old kks but other breeds later ...what type of ear tags do i need
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Check with the abbatoir - they'll have their own regulations / preferences.
Usually metal, some places want slap mark (tattoo) as well as
Ours had small metal "clip" type tags - they were fine for slaughter.
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can you slap mark a very hairy Kune kune
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We thought of slap marking but were told as of last December they must have ear tags. Ours went with metal ones.
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Ours were fine with plastic slaughter tags - so it is deffinately worth asking the abatoir what they want/need.
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can you slap mark a very hairy Kune kune
Never tried!
we just needed metal tags
In theory, yes... You might not see it until the hair is removed
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We use metal ear tags. They're not expensive in the grand scale of things and survive the various processes at the abbatoir. We tag them in the trailer before we set off to slaughter as they are normally tucking into their favourite treat of brocolli or bread and don't seem to notice much. Saves chasing them round the pen
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Hi,
The regulations in England and Wales are : a single metal ear tag or slapmarked on each shoulder. I understand slapping is in the process of being mandated in Scotland as well.
The abattoir may have their own preference of which type of ID they like.
With tags there is always the danger that they may be lost during the slaughter processes - worst case then is the carcass is condemned, although we have never had reports of Qwiksilver tags being lost.
Slapping is the 100% certain way to ensure a good ID of the carcass - as it cannot be lost - that's why in commercial production slapping is used 100%.
Depends on your slapper as to how well they will slap "hairy" pigs - look for one that has parallel rather than tapered pins.
Thanks
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been to one of our big abbotiors today asked what they req ie ear tags,,,,,,,,, not bothered they said metal or plastic they all come out in the dehairing process, they slap mark them when i bring them in so thats ok then, will use plastic as they are only for the drive there.
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You shouldn't have to slap mark, as long as they are tagged with tags that withhold carcass processing then that's sufficient, metal ones usually.
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We use metal tags and they are always still there after processing.
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I've always used the plastic button eartag - BKKPS or Herd Tags & they've always survived the processing.
:love: :pig: :love:
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You shouldn't have to slap mark, as long as they are tagged with tags that withhold carcass processing then that's sufficient, metal ones usually.
All I will say is that ALL of the big 5 UK commercial producers use slapmarks and not tags.
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Harry sorry being nosey as u are near me who did you go and see.
:wave:
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went to LAMBERTS Eye ind estate... they used to near Beccles but now in Eye....well did my first ones today.went ok, cant say they didnt notice, a squeel and a head shake then back to eating, small bit of blood but all seems ok
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we use plastic and have never lost one in the de hairing process but then they are not kunnies not all slaughter houses take them :farmer:
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My abbttoir - a small family business - doesn't require them at all. Unfortunately my weaners came with ear tags. Previously this type of tag snagged on grass and caused a lot of trouble. I don't suppose there is a way of painlessly taking them out.
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My abbttoir - a small family business - doesn't require them at all. Unfortunately my weaners came with ear tags. Previously this type of tag snagged on grass and caused a lot of trouble. I don't suppose there is a way of painlessly taking them out.
Short and sweet answer is no. but we have taken them out before as the ear had started to go manky!
If its a weaner you need two strong people, one to hold weaners steady another with strong hands to use pliers to take out the offending article, then liberally spray hole with purple or dust with wound power. They soon heal up.
For older pigs you may need to look at sedation though we have done it with a strong man(OH) with the pigs head in a big bucket of nuts with his ears hanging over edge. Same meds apply.
HTH
Mandy :pig:
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is it not illegal to remove a tag once fitted esp by a purchaser :farmer:
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Probably but i would use welfare grounds as mitigating circumstances.
mandy :pig:
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In the past I made up a water pistol of Dettol and sprayed the injured ear when the pig was eating.
Apart from the ear-tags, the present lot have badly sunburned ears that will need attention anyway.
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In the past I made up a water pistol of Dettol and sprayed the injured ear when the pig was eating.
Apart from the ear-tags, the present lot have badly sunburned ears that will need attention anyway.
Daub with aftersun or sudocrem to heal and next time its sunny use sun block factor 50+ or plaster them with mud.
HTH
mandy :pig:
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Our first two pigs we used metal tags but weren't entirely happy that they were in properly.
The second four pigs we bought a slapper, and will use this on the next two we get this weekend.