[ScotsGirl]

We have OSB piglets due and want to register any that are good enough. I think notching is barbaric personally but can't afford to tattoo.


Can anyone give me an idiots lesson on where the notches will be if these are numbered 1-10? I have looked at BPA guideline and can't make head nor tail of it.

[Tamsaddle]

Notching is not nearly as bad as you imagine, and the piglets barely notice.   Dreaded doing it the first time, but they got straight back to eating as if nothing had happened, and virtually no bleeding.    I'm not familiar with the OSB system as I had saddlebacks who get a different series of notches specific to that breed.

[HappyHippy]

The photo below shows you the notching system and here's a link to the document explaining it http://www.britishpigs.org.uk/Pedigree%20ID%202011.PDF

If you wanted to notch no. 1 you'd put one notch in the '1' on the units part of the ear, no. 2 would require two notches in the same location, no. 3 would be one notch in the '3' position and no. 4 would need a notch in both the '1' position and the '3' position. Hope that makes sense? (In my defence it is late  )

Notching is one of those things I think everybody dreads. I know I did, I had visions of screaming piglets and gallons of blood  It's not like that at all.....honest! They barely notice it and make more noise being picked up and it's a REALLY small piece of tissue you're removing - it doesn't bleed profusely.

The best tips I can give you are....
Do it when they are young (and easily held) around 2 weeks of age is so much easier than trying to keep hold of them when they're 6 or 8 weeks old 
Notch and apply their ear tags at the same time - it can be difficult to go back and try to match notches with numbers at a later date - especially if they've been in any scrapes and had an ear injury (ask me how I know  )
Make sure your notchers are SUPER sharp - they cut far more cleanly and easily that way. You can sharpen them by 'notching' a piece of sandpaper.
Take them well out of earshot of the sow - it helps you feel more relaxed without worrying about an angry mama coming charging at you to see what you're doing to her babies 
After they're notched give the ear a spray of purple/antibiotic spray, protecting yourself and the area around you from staining (again, ask me how I know  ) a black bin bag cut along it's length makes a good disposable  'bib' to cover your clothes.

Hope that helps a bit?
Good luck,
Karen 

[ScotsGirl]

Thanks, I think that makes sense. It's just when the numbers get bigger and making sure we get the right ears. We would like to show and have a couple of people interested but been told if you get it wrong they are strict about not letting you compete.


Just hope they can survive the weather. Mum is huge, god knows what she will be like by her due date.

[Bodger]

I don't fancy ear notching, which is one but not a main reason why I chose to go with the GOS breed. Having said that, I've still got a virgin tattoo kit unopened in its box.

[Tudful Tamworths]

If you don't want to notch, you can choose to double-tag. You have to declare this when birth notifying with the BPA.


The big drawback is that you won't be able to show without them being notched, but if that's not important to you, that's fine. However, be aware that some people buying registered pigs from you may want to show - so you will have to make it clear that they haven't been notched.


Have a look at the OSB website for more advice - and a guide to notching. It's all very clear and well-explained.

[Barnsnap]

From March 2013  - OSBs were given the option to tattoo or notch.  You have either option when you birth notify the litter with the BPA. 

[Bodger]

That's well worth noting.

[Tudful Tamworths]

Sorry, Barnsnap - the information I had was from the OSB breeders website:


 http://www.oxfordsandypigs.co.uk/breed-identification/


It doesn't mention anything about tattooing being an option. Maybe someone should get it updated.

[SMarshall]

We normally double tag as my OH doesn't want to notch, however we have a potential weaner buyer who might want to show a gilt but doesn't know yet... and I don't know what to do. 


If I can convince OH to consider notching the gilt in question (and that's not going to be easy) can we tag the others in the litter or do they all have to be done the same way?


Any thoughts?


Ta
Steph

[Berkshire Boy]

I don't understand this notching is barbaric rubbish. So it is ok to ram a hole through a pigs ear with a piece of plastic but not to snip a notch with sharp metal cutters.

[ScotsGirl]

You have a point, except that it's not just one notch. Depending on number it can be several. Tattooing no better really other than its one squeal rather than lots!!

[hughesy]

I'm with BB on this. I don't have a problem with notching or tagging. And it's part of owning pedigree pigs but if you don't like it don't do it.

[HappyHippy]

I'm the biggest wuss in the world  and was dreading notching - but really, it's not a big deal 
We normally do them around 7-10 days old (when they're still small enough to be held easily  ) they squeal more being picked up than they do during the actual notching. A quick spray of antibiotic spray afterwards causes more fuss than anything.
As for some numbers having loads of notches - just miss them out and move on to the next number  As long as the number of the pig matches that on the tag and the paperwork it's no big deal.
HTH

[Berkshire Boy]

Scotsgirl I can't say I remember a piglet squeeling  when I've notched, when you pick them up yes but the notching is done in seconds.