[Daleswoman]

Our little GOS weaners are now big porkies and will be off to the abattoir in a month or so. I know I have a choice of ear tagging, slap marks or ear tattoos  - which have people found to be the best option (as in easiest, quickest, least stressful for pigs) ?

[SallyintNorth]

I ear tag and it's ok - I do it on their last evening, pop them in the trailer with a handful of nuts, tag them as they are busy eating.

However if I was starting again, having read threads on here, I'd go for the slapmark.  It has the added bonus you are sure you have your own meat back

[harmony]

Has to be tag or slapmark. Agree with SallyintNorth that slapping guarantees you get your pig back. We use a small abattoir so less chance of mistakes but I have heard of one or two. Fearings do slap kits and tags.

[Marches Farmer]

I sneak up behind them and slap on each shoulder as their heads are down eating - occasionally get a squeak of protest but never enough to put them off their food.

[Daleswoman]

Thanks for the quick replies! I get my sheep tags from Fearings so will look at their slappers.  Not looking forward to them going - we will all miss them, especially the dogs!

[Cosmore]

Slap marks one on each shoulder here using food grade ink....while they are eating their food, quick easy stress free, abbatoir accepted, you get your own meat back - nuff said!

[oaklandspigs]

you also need to check with your abattoir - some will only take slapmarks !

[greenbeast]

I've not tried to tag but i feel that getting a couple of slap marks into a pig while it is eating would be easier than positioning tags on the ear

[Caroline1]

I am newbie to pigs and ear tagged the last couple, was easy enough, might look into other methods in future though.

[Bionic]

Definitely slap marks for us. Do it when they are eating and they hardly flinch 

[Sudanpan]

Another vote for slapmarks - although the 1st year I was a tad (!) heavy handed as I was so nervous 

[devonlad]

We ear tag. Same as sally, the night before. Far easier than we'd feared. No reason not to slap but we trust the butcher and it saves further expense on kit we havent got

[pharnorth]

Slap mine and so far they haven't slapped me back.  Looks slightly bemused if anything. Order your kit now though can take 2 or 3 weeks to arrive

[hughesy]

It will depend on what your abattoir wants. Better give them a ring.

[PK]

Regarding the information in the slap mark: do you just use your herd number or is it another officially issued ID?