The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Pigs => Topic started by: nails on March 13, 2011, 08:29:01 pm

Title: Ear Tattooing
Post by: nails on March 13, 2011, 08:29:01 pm
I suspect this has already been asked, but can you tell me where you get pigs ears tattooed please
Title: Re: Ear Tattooing
Post by: robert waddell on March 13, 2011, 08:36:25 pm
supplies for smallholders or any supplier of livestock equipment
remember you cant tattoo pedigree pigs it has to be done by the breeder unless you have breed them yourself
Title: Re: Ear Tattooing
Post by: nails on March 13, 2011, 08:40:04 pm
We are planning on breeding them, i suspect some will go for meat tho, but i am keen to keep the breed going
Title: Re: Ear Tattooing
Post by: robert waddell on March 13, 2011, 08:43:19 pm
are they birth nottified and registered with the b p a by the breeder who you bought them from??
Title: Re: Ear Tattooing
Post by: nails on March 13, 2011, 08:57:46 pm
They all have papers, and they are all registered on BPA
Title: Re: Ear Tattooing
Post by: oaklandspigs on March 14, 2011, 08:01:12 am
As Lillian says they should already be tattoed for their breed registration.

If they arrived older than one year, then they should have been eartagged if in England and Wales for Defra regs, or a temporary mark if under 1 year.  In either case, you don't need to add any more ID as long as they stay on your land.

If you are taking for meat, then when you take you will need to eartag with your herd no. Tattoing the ear with herd no. will not meet abattoirs needs, and slapmarking on a Mangalitza is probably not easy enough to see (have not taken any to slaughter so may be acceptable).
Title: Re: Ear Tattooing
Post by: Hilarysmum on March 14, 2011, 09:23:09 am
We slap marked ours, but wimped out and took them to the abattoir with our slapper where he slapped them for us.  He being more expert had no problems.  It worked but I think he administered a firmer slap than we might have used
Title: Re: Ear Tattooing
Post by: nails on March 14, 2011, 06:37:52 pm
Sorry i should have said the 3 we have are for breeding its the piglets i want to tattoo or slap mark if we sell them on as pedigree's, i have ordered the metal tags for if they move off our land or go for slaughter