The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Sheep => Topic started by: Fishyhaddock on March 01, 2011, 10:11:24 am

Title: Ear tags
Post by: Fishyhaddock on March 01, 2011, 10:11:24 am

Just looking at buying my first tags with applicator - I notice that there are round tags and the more traditional bubblegum tags - are they much of a muchness or are the round ones better as they are less likely to snag / catch on anything?
I'm in scotland so looking at the preferred suppliers listed in the rural payments agency list - is it necessary to use a preferred supplier? I don't think it is but just wanted to check with the experts - that's you!   

Title: Re: Ear tags
Post by: supplies for smallholders on March 01, 2011, 11:08:20 am

Hi,

You can buy from anyone as long as the tags themselves are ministry approved.

Its a matter of taste on the style really - I personally prefer the Qwik tags as opposed to the circular tags, as I find them less likely to snag.

Thanks

Title: Re: Ear tags
Post by: ellisr on March 01, 2011, 11:22:34 am

i got a couple of lambs given last year that had the round tags in and one ended up with a ripped ear as it caught on the fencing and the other kept getting caught up on the fencing, so I now call them the devil tags I much prefer qwik tags. Also if you put a round tag in a little lamb they nearly fall over with the size/weight of them bless their cotton socks.

Title: Re: Ear tags
Post by: VSS on March 01, 2011, 11:28:45 am

Allflex bubblegum tags are first class - lightweight and stay put.  We have used iro 1000 of them and only one has been lost.

Title: Re: Ear tags
Post by: Fleecewife on March 01, 2011, 12:48:04 pm

I second that for Allflex Bubblegum tags.  We don't put them in newborn lambs though - we use turkey wing tags as individual ID at birth, then put in the permanent tags at weaning.

Title: Re: Ear tags
Post by: kaz on March 01, 2011, 01:44:04 pm

I would agree regarding the allflex bubblegum tags. They are designed to break in the middle if caught on anything thereby stopping them ripping their ears. Only ever had one break on a ram and he just loves to rub his head along anything he can find but the tag is still there, and have never had one lost.

Title: Re: Ear tags
Post by: woollyval on March 01, 2011, 03:02:05 pm

Used to use Symtag in pre electric days, now changed to Allflex bubblegum...fantastic!

Title: Re: Ear tags
Post by: Fishyhaddock on March 01, 2011, 03:22:58 pm

Brilliant - thanks for the advice. I had looked at the Allflex website and was impressed as it was so easy and well laid out. Bubblegum it is. The applicator is just £6 and I was a bit concerned that it was perhaps too cheap (is there such a thing!??)

Title: Re: Ear tags
Post by: andywalt on March 01, 2011, 06:48:46 pm

I would also say, i have  brought 30 sheep last year 3 of them had the round tags and one of them has been ripped out totally splitting the ear into two pieces, not very nice, so when I get my tags I wont be buying the round ones!!

Title: Re: Ear tags
Post by: lachlanandmarcus on March 01, 2011, 07:24:17 pm

I have also been happy with the Allflex bubblegum tags. None lost from the 6 I did last year (these were EID and non EID paired ones).

Title: Re: Ear tags
Post by: shep53 on March 01, 2011, 07:31:47 pm

ALLFLEX bubblegum excellent tag but the tag everyone says is best SHEARWELL

Title: Re: Ear tags
Post by: robate55 on March 02, 2011, 06:13:14 pm

Thanks Wooly Shepherd =- you have answered a question. Last year we put full tags in lambs & have quite a few torn ears as they were so small. I wondered whether any one did put small management tags in the lambs first. I think I will do that this year.
Thanks Rose

Title: Re: Ear tags
Post by: andywalt on March 02, 2011, 06:24:06 pm

Can you get small lamb tags ? what a good idea !!  I will have a search for some, what are there names?