The Accidental Smallholder Forum
Livestock => Sheep => Topic started by: Young Ed on May 12, 2014, 04:46:29 pm
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I'm so confused I'm not even sure if this is the right section of the forum?!
Any way so as you probably already know I am going to being keeping sheep for the first time this year (stock lambs so not for breeding just fatten up and then slaughter for the freezer)
We already keep pigs and thus have all the DEFRA numbers for that, including the holding number. The sheep will be on the same land and within the 5 or 10 km rule, so do I need a new separate holding number? I believe I need a herd number (3 sheep/lambs)? Any other numbers etc I need? How do I go about getting these numbers?
I then need to get ear tags made up with my herd number? As these will be store lambs and thus dead at younger than 1 year of age do they also need EID or what ever electronic tags when they go to the abattoir?
Anything I have missed?
Cheers Ed
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Your lambs will come with ear tags ... you need to nothing on that front. You only tag anything which you breed (or retag if tags are lost ... see link) You will need a flock number ... see link
https://www.gov.uk/sheep-and-goats-identification-registration-and-movement (https://www.gov.uk/sheep-and-goats-identification-registration-and-movement)
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Your lambs will come with ear tags ... you need to nothing on that front. You only tag anything which you breed (or retag if tags are lost ... see link) You will need a flock number ... see link
https://www.gov.uk/sheep-and-goats-identification-registration-and-movement (https://www.gov.uk/sheep-and-goats-identification-registration-and-movement)
so the farmer i buy them off will have to tag them before he sells them to me? what do these tags have on them? so i won't need to tag anything, with a heard number or anything else?
Cheers Ed
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Animals are tagged on holding of birth and they keep those tags till slaughter... so no you don't. (if tags are lost then you will have to order and put in 'red' tags .... but worry about that if it happens!
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a good guide to replacing tags if lost
https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/191538/sheep-tag-rules101217.pdf (https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/191538/sheep-tag-rules101217.pdf)
Cheers Ed
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how do i go about getting a flock number or what ever then? when do i need to do this, before or after the woolies have arrived? how much does this cost?
Cheers Ed
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You just need to call your local DEFRA office with your CPH number and tell them you plan to get sheep and they will issue you with a herd number (mine came in the post soon after)
I doesn't cost anything.
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in theory you can do it up to 7 days after the woolies arrive but if you know they're coming just do it now!!!
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in theory you can do it up to 7 days after the woolies arrive but if you know they're coming just do it now!!!
they will be coming later in the summer so a month or two, but i guess that doesn't matter as once i have the herd number i can use that for years to come? do defra need to know how many woolies and when they come?
Cheers Ed
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yet another DEFRA related question! sorry :-[
is one allowed to keep just 1 sheep (lamb)? local farmer has a sock lamb that i have worked out i could take on and he is happy for me to
this lamb would then later be joined by some normal lambs on grass
Cheers Ed
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If they are intended for slaughter within 12 months of age you have the option to identify them with a single ear tag (showing only your flock/herd mark).
https://www.gov.uk/sheep-and-goats-identification-registration-and-movement#introduction (https://www.gov.uk/sheep-and-goats-identification-registration-and-movement#introduction)
??? do they mean the herd number of the herd they were born into or my new herd number?
Cheers Ed
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It's flock number - it will be UK then six digits. Your herd number (covers pigs and cows) will be two letters and four digits.
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ours adore all things, bar bread. lol x
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will call local DEFRA office when i get the time then!
ours adore all things, bar bread. lol x
wrong thread? did you mean to post in the 'sheep treats?' thread?
Cheers Ed
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No my DEFRA don't like bread, gluten see.
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If they are intended for slaughter within 12 months of age you have the option to identify them with a single ear tag (showing only your flock/herd mark).
https://www.gov.uk/sheep-and-goats-identification-registration-and-movement#introduction (https://www.gov.uk/sheep-and-goats-identification-registration-and-movement#introduction)
??? do they mean the herd number of the herd they were born into or my new herd number?
Cheers Ed
This is still the flock number of the original breeder.................
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No my DEFRA don't like bread, gluten see.
you tried toast? my Defra office love toast and i now make a mint selling them prime quality toast! :D
If they are intended for slaughter within 12 months of age you have the option to identify them with a single ear tag (showing only your flock/herd mark).
https://www.gov.uk/sheep-and-goats-identification-registration-and-movement#introduction (https://www.gov.uk/sheep-and-goats-identification-registration-and-movement#introduction)
??? do they mean the herd number of the herd they were born into or my new herd number?
Cheers Ed
This is still the flock number of the original breeder.................
thanks for clearing that up :thumbsup:
Cheers Ed
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sorry , i'm back! :(
so i have now heard i don't need a herd number unless they are being bred on my land? so for buying store lambs there is no need for a herd number?
we already have a holding number as we keep pigs so do i just contact DEFRA and say we are going to be moving sheep from such a holding (farmer i am buying them off's farm) to my holding and on such a date? where do i get these forms or how do i tell them?
just want to try not to get into trouble with them and do it right the first time but it does seem incredibly confusing!
Cheers Ed
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Ring DEFRA for their direct information.
Don't know who told you that but I thought you had to have flock number just for a couple of lawnmower sheep.... get on to DEFRA they should sort out exactly what you need to do.
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Yep, agree with Backinwellies. You will still need a herd no. Give DEFRA a call. Everyone there is very helpful.
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I am firmly of the opinion that most DEFRA staff have never seen a sheep, let alone know that they come in FLOCKS (like geese and hens) whereas pigs and cattle come in HERDS. Please don't confuse them even more!
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Lol @ marches farmer :roflanim:
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lovely thanks :thumbsup:
will give them a call to get the final answer :p
Cheers Ed
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called DEFRA and Animal Health and Welfare Laboratories or what ever it is and AMARS today and apparently i need a flock number as well as my holding number to keep store lambs
Cheers Ed