The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Sheep => Topic started by: DavidandCollette on March 15, 2015, 06:02:00 pm

Title: tagging
Post by: DavidandCollette on March 15, 2015, 06:02:00 pm

I have just got back from my smallholding having tried to retag sheep that had lost their tags. I am taking them to the Abattoir tomorrow. One of the poor things looks like it had just escaped from said Abbatoir. The new tags leave such a big hole in the ear when it gets pulled off on the stock fencing. Two of them have split ears from tagging.CCan anyone recommend a way of making a crush to try to hold them still please? I am feeling quite upset that I am causing distress to them

Title: Re: tagging
Post by: shep53 on March 15, 2015, 06:27:23 pm

Buy a sheep halter , easy to carry and you can then restrain anywhere .   I carry 2 on the quad at all times

Title: Re: tagging
Post by: Me on March 15, 2015, 06:38:59 pm

Best and cheapest option possibly the halter, failing that George Mudge does a sheep head yolk which works well for tagging and dagging

Title: Re: tagging
Post by: Ladygrey on March 15, 2015, 07:00:14 pm

Tag them in the race and get someone to restrain the sheep by gripping its head hard and firm

failing that tag them as lambs so you can hold them still and just tag them in a good place so they dont pull/rip them out

I tag at 24 hours old, and right up against the head, this way they never seem to catch on anything or fall out

Title: Re: tagging
Post by: Bionic on March 15, 2015, 07:02:44 pm

We use bailer twine that we have plaited. Then it goes round a fence post and round the sheeps neck. Once they are fairly still you can put a knee against them and hold them against the fence while you do the necessary.

Title: Re: tagging
Post by: Badger Nadgers on March 15, 2015, 08:14:28 pm

https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=okaNTSE71vw (https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=okaNTSE71vw)

Title: Re: tagging
Post by: Slimjim on March 15, 2015, 10:04:37 pm

There has been a good tip on here before when using the tags that hinge over to be fixed in the ear - simply snip through the plastic where the tag is folded with wire cutters and there is then no closed loop to catch on anything.

Title: Re: tagging
Post by: fiestyredhead331 on March 16, 2015, 01:59:04 am

we have those loop tags on some of the goats but after one horribly torn ear we went round and cut the loop and thankfully no more torn ears  :fc: