The Accidental Smallholder Forum
Livestock => Pigs => Topic started by: MiriMaran on June 17, 2009, 07:47:56 pm
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When we got our pigs they were ear tagged by the breeder before we loaded them into the trailer. They have the metal tags that cup around the ear. We thought at the time that she hadn't given much of a gap for the ear to grow into, but thought that maybe the tag wouldn't get caught so easily on things.
However, their ears bleed every few days and now Snuffle's ear skin (the larger pig) is starting to curl under as the metal tag is now too tight! What should we do? Is this normal? PANIC!!!!!!
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we tried to remove our sows tag as its too tight and regularly bled. But just couldn't keep her still long enough, her ear then split so the tag is now looser, if it bleeds I just put purple spray on it. I wouldn't worry too much but you can try and get them out and then re-tag on the other ear, but its whether or not you can do a better job! I think sometimes these things bother us nore than the animals!!!
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I've been doing the same as you - when in doubt use purple spray!! But I haven't had the confidence to try and remove the tag!
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You need some pliers but they're hard to remove, I'd leave them, good old purple spray!
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Has your sows ear folded inside the loop of the tag? Does it damage the edge of the ear?
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I have removed all of mine, oH does it with pliers. Edwina has a huge great hole in her ear. Am attempting to arrange for ear tattoos instead.
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I bought a slap marking kit, but not had a chance to study it and mark the weaners!
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I had to tag my gilt when she went to the boar. When she came back it looked gunky where she had caught it, cleaned it up with Hibiscrub and sprayed it each day. It wasn't improving, so I cut it out with horse foot trimming nippers - I tested them on a spare tag, before I tried cutting out the one in her ear. While she had her head down eating, I slipped the nippers around the 'post' of the tag and cut it out. I'm sure I was more relieved than her to see the back of the damn thing !
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I have a slap marking kit for sending the porkers off to the abattoir, didnt realise I could use it to mark weaners. Could you explain it to me, would be grateful, thanks.
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Its the same thing, they dont need id under 12 months unless moved, (temp paintmark) or for slaughter then double slapmarks, or an eartag, I used to tag but will slap them now, and if I sell any as weaners I'll ask if they want them slapped too save them having to tag.
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How long does a slap mark last for? If a 9 week old weaner was slapmarked would it still be visible by slaughter. Also is the green tattoo paste definitely visible on black skin? I wish we had said no to the breeder when she tagged them! You live and learn!
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we use plasic button tags on breeding stock. I hate the metal tags, they make such a mess of the ears. We only metal tag pigs the day before slaughter
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So far here, the abattoir we use has always been happy with just a slap mark. Hope it continues.
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Once slap marked its permanent! I have green ink as mine have black spots, I'll let you know how well it shows up once i get round to doing them!
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On the carcasses if done properly its clear even after the dehairing process.
On another site someone was mentioning electronic tagging for sheep. Does anyone have any info on this please.
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Thanks Dixie, I'd be very interested to know how you get on and whether it is easily visible. Photo's would be good too if possible - thank you!
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ooops sorry MM didnt mean to jump on the topic...
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How long does a slap mark last for? If a 9 week old weaner was slapmarked would it still be visible by slaughter. Also is the green tattoo paste definitely visible on black skin? I wish we had said no to the breeder when she tagged them! You live and learn!
The green tattoo paste is visible on black skin, but it doesn't stay as visible for as long. We used to use green tattoo paste on the goats, and the nubians sometimes have black skin (depends on what colour they are). The tattoo paste worked, but after 4 years or so it got really hard to see. I had one until she was to, and I think the last couple of years her ear tattoo wasn't readable.
You can get white tattoo paste though apparantly.
Beth
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OK I think we will leave the tags in, but in future slap mark! Don't be silly Hilary's Mum! I've never heard of electronic tagging for pigs - sounds expensive though! And also its still tagging and likely to get pulled about.
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I've used those plastic discs but the grass gets caught around them or they fall out or their ears bleed. I asked the abbatoir what they preferred and they said it would be all right if I didn't tag them. So now I bring the tags in my pocket.
It's a small abbatoir and after killing the carcasses have my name painted on them with purple dye.
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are you serious that you get away with that. i think you place maybe closing down if they are caught. would you be out of the uk by any chance.
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Im not in UK admittedly, but I did think, from reading other websites that it was ok to slap mark and not tag pigs deigned for abattoir use. Do they have to be tagged before 6 months anyway. Here its normal for a large consignment for one to be ear tagged the rest dont appear to be. Just curious.
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they have to have id. wether slap mark or tags. why are you not tagging them. unless there your piglets they should be tagged before you get them. the pigs could be from anywhere if they are not id.
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My mistake, just something I had assumed from reading another site.
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Pigs under 12 months can still move between holdings on a temporary paint mark. Only need tagging/slap marking when moving to the abattoir or for breeding pigs over 12 months.
From DEFRA's rules on Pig Identification.
Movements between holdings in the case of pigs under 1 year, may continue using a temporary paint mark which must last at least until a pig reaches it’s destination.
HTH
(ETA - this applies to England, no idea on the rules for the rest of Europe)
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I'm sure the regulations are the same or very similar throughout the EU. In my case, in Ireland, the abbatoir was being considerate as previously I arrived with the tags in my pocket and pigs with torn ears.
In any event, there should be some simpler way of marking pigs. Why not your initials painted on them, as is done with mountain sheep? Too many of the regulations are designed with only the factory producer in mind.
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in most cases. but unless they have a id that can be traced and they turn out to be diseased which non of us want then how can they be traced. our hill sheep need tagging. but as they are pushing a head with this electronic tagging scheme. its getting silly. next they will have sat tracking installed.
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What is this electric tagging system? How will it work, is it a chip or a tag, and will it apply to all animals or just sheep?
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the tags have chips in. like the ones we put into dogs. but they have tried them up here and they can't cope with our weather. we also have very tough rules. we have slaughtered out all the scrapie and any animal that comes up has to go through two screenings. this is just the EU running mad. about £800 +£1.60 per tag compared to 9 pence for a tag. we have 10 sheep and 4 lambs if we have to pay that then we will have to give up on sheep. horses are having to be tagged so I'm sure that the pigs and cattle will be pulled into it soon. we now even have to fill movement paper work for winkles. my two boys loved to go winkling but now even that is being made more difficult.
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seriously ..... you have to fill in paper work to collect winkles ...... the world really has gone mad. ....
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yep there was a note in the paper last week from the animal health lot. seems there are now two grades of winkles now with a closed season. if this was down to pollution i could understand but were way up here if our waters dirty then i would guess the rest of Europe's is worse.
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You wanna see the crap the wombles have to go through just to go for a walk on Wimbeldon Common these days. They are now effectively under EU house arrest.
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I still find it incredible that you have to fill in paperwork to collect winkles, before you know it there will be a form for kids to complete before collecting shells from the beach!!!!
Why do you have to fill in a form to collect winkles?
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traceability we assume we spoke to the animal health lady at the council and they think its daft too but the rest of Scotland are doing it and so they have go along with it. it appears the west side of Shetland closes for two month but the east side does not. the east side is the north sea side so it should be the dirtier side.
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ok, I know I am missing something here but how do they know where the winkles come from, they dont have tags! Is this pc gone mad or someone in DEFRA making a futile attempt to justify their salary. Cos even Brussels cant be that daft ..... can they???
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My very tired eyes just read the above replies as wrinkles!!! Very confused.
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Dont worry they'll find a way to tag those soon!
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Hi,
I have heard that the department were considering using Micro chips like the ones they use in Dogs.
But the problem seems to be that the Chips move around under the pigs skin and to find them after insertion seems to be the problem.
You can imagine the problem of a customer finding the chip in a sausage.
BUT it would be a good way of the government chipping US !!!!!!!!.
A WHOLE NEW MEANING TO SAUSAGE AND CHIPS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!.
Kind regards to all
Joe
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`There's no need to chip you once you've got a mobile phone ;)
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You have to register you mobile for them to be able to know who owns it!.
Never mind who is using it.
This is why Phone company's give free credit so that you will go on the net and register it.
But I do agree Mobile's are very easily tracked.
Regards
Joe
P.S Ear tags to mobiles what next!.
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Here you have to register your mobile and produce proof of who you are; including a utility bill. Bit like tagging the pig really
On the chip for pigs thingy, Pigs at Les Rues suggested this some time ago, as a means of avoiding tampering with paperwork. My point then as now is as above the chip moves, someone swallows chip and all hell breaks loose. Wonder if the government have thought that one through.
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No worries - the government would probably like us all to be tagged anyway!!!
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I am totally positive that the government would love to have us all chipped.
Just one step on from the national I D card! :o
The only difference is I think they would like to be able to turn off the Chip and US!!!!!!!.
Regards
Joe
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Brave New World
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Hi,
The government has brought in new laws (in Ireland Today) that all Phone calls, E.mails and Text message have to be Recorded and kept for a minimum of 12 months by service providers to aid Revenue commissioners, Garda (police) and Armed forces in the fight against serious crime.
Or at least that is their excuse AND they say it is not a invasion of privacy at all !!! ::) ::)
I am just glad I DON'T have anything to hide ;)
Kindest regards to all
Joe :)
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On the other hand, I inquired with the Department of Agriculture (Ireland) for the regulations covering free-range pigs and they confessed that there aren't any.