The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Sheep => Topic started by: Tam on December 14, 2011, 04:05:34 pm

Title: Wiltshire Horn ewe lambs - changing tags?
Post by: Tam on December 14, 2011, 04:05:34 pm

We keep Wiltshire Horn and last year we slaughtered all the lambs (there were only 4) - this year we had 12 lambs and all were ewe lambs.  They currently have slaughter batch tags in - 3 have already gone, but I was wondering if it's possible to change our minds and get them electronically tagged instead and maybe sell them on for breeding next year - does anyone know if this is possible and if it is expensive / complicated??  This is probably a very basic question, but it would be really good to get some advice.

Thanks,
Tam

Title: Re: Wiltshire Horn ewe lambs - changing tags?
Post by: Anke on December 14, 2011, 05:01:41 pm

I would have thought if they still on their original holding of birth, then you simply cut out the slaughter tag and replace with EID ones. Just get a batch of EID tags from the same place you bought your slaughter tags from (make sure it uses the same tagger/applicator), then just out them into your register as per usual.

I have so far always EID tagged ALL my lambs, it gives me more freedom to choose when to send them off or if i decide to keep them for flock replacements.

I had a really high ratio of female lambs to male ones this year, not sure why.

Title: Re: Wiltshire Horn ewe lambs - changing tags?
Post by: Hazelwood Flock on December 14, 2011, 06:16:59 pm

It is only slightly more expensive to EID tag all lambs. I do all mine then there is no need to worry about their ultimate destiny. As Anke has already said, the slaughter tags can be removed and replaced with EID tags as long as the lambs are under 12 months old and are on their holding of birth.

Title: Re: Wiltshire Horn ewe lambs - changing tags?
Post by: Tam on December 14, 2011, 06:31:05 pm

Thank you both for replying - that sounds really easy to do - I had it in my head it would be really complicated and expensive!

Title: Re: Wiltshire Horn ewe lambs - changing tags?
Post by: Dougal on December 16, 2011, 02:44:13 pm

In your movement book you are also supposed to record the date that the lambs are tagged, just to be annoying!

Title: Re: Wiltshire Horn ewe lambs - changing tags?
Post by: SteveHants on December 20, 2011, 01:36:20 am

Or just put the EID tag in the other ear.....

Assuming you only tagged one ear with the slaughter tags. I buy all my tags in pairs and do all of em with the non-EID tag and then tag any that I'm keeping with the second EID tag - it helps me pick them out too.

Title: Re: Wiltshire Horn ewe lambs - changing tags?
Post by: jaykay on December 20, 2011, 07:11:51 am

I think I've got this right....slaughter tags should only have the flock number on, the second tag for a breeding sheep should have the same individual number on as the electronic tag.

Title: Re: Wiltshire Horn ewe lambs - changing tags?
Post by: SteveHants on December 20, 2011, 03:29:12 pm

It doesn't hurt if the slaughter tags have both - when you buy EID tags, you get two, an electronic one and a non electronic one. Both have the same info printed on em.  Just use the non-eid one as a slaughter tag. I can tell ata glance them which I have decided to retain for whatever reason, because they have two tags.

(Nb - this does not work if you are planing to keep them longer than 12mos)