The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Pigs => Topic started by: MiriMaran on March 11, 2010, 08:14:00 pm

Title: Ear Tattoos
Post by: MiriMaran on March 11, 2010, 08:14:00 pm
We collected 2 GOS today and they both have an ear tattoo.  If I remember right its a four digit number.  What happens when they go to slaughter?  We were planning to slap mark them, but that means they will be going with 2 identification marks.

Has anyone had experience with is or any wisdom to inpart?
Title: Re: Ear Tattoos
Post by: smiffy on March 11, 2010, 10:13:36 pm
the tatoo will be their pedigree number

you will still need to identify them with your herd number via slap or tag for slaughter
Title: Re: Ear Tattoos
Post by: Wizard on March 11, 2010, 10:53:05 pm
Hello Miri cannot resist ." Irish lads got a couple of pigs and put them in the sty at the bottom of the garden.How will we know which is yours and which is mine Patrick.I know we will cut a little V in mines ear eh.Good Idea Seamus.So the job done and they repaired to the pub and then home to bed In the morning great dismay the pigs had been fighting in the night and each had bitten the other and neither had the bit where the V had been.I know said Seamus I'll cut a bit off the tail of the one thats mine.OK good idea said Patrick They fed them at tea time Went for a jar and off to bed .Next morning same thing both had short tails.Sod this Seamus You have the black and I'll have the white un No offence to any Irish chap that may read this :farmer:
Title: Re: Ear Tattoos
Post by: Malc on March 13, 2010, 01:25:15 am
Actually that is quite offensive Wizard. Try replacing "Irish" for "West Indian" or "Pakistani" - you wouldn't tell the joke, would you? Maybe you would. If you have any more gems of "humour", keep them to yourself or try the BNP website.
Title: Re: Ear Tattoos
Post by: Wizard on March 13, 2010, 07:39:50 am
In no way is it offensive.Intended to be offensive. Many of the problems in this country is caused by pretend politically correct PRATTS like you MALC ! I with the cooperation of Annie have put a Wizard on my profile to show such as you not to read the post.Go and join the BIG 3 on RCCN George
Title: Re: Ear Tattoos
Post by: Jackie on March 13, 2010, 08:29:44 am
Wow Malc talk about over reaction!! Even the irish tell Paddy jokes

Besides if the Irish part was changed for West Indian or Pakistani it wouldnt be funny.
Title: Re: Ear Tattoos
Post by: Hilarysmum on March 13, 2010, 09:33:21 am
I'm with Malc on that one, and even if its not offensive, Wizard's reply is
Title: Re: Ear Tattoos
Post by: Malc on March 13, 2010, 12:37:19 pm
Excuse me for being so sensitive.

My parents came to England from Ireland in the late 1950s. As a child I wasn't allowed to answer the phone. I didn't know why. It turns out we were plagued with abusive phone calls the most polite of which went along the lines of "Paddies go home".

At school, I was teased about being a thick bog-trotter (as it happens I was generally near the top of the class). At Birmingham airport I had to watch a couple of drunks swear at my grandfather and spit at him because he had an Irish accent. 

Sure, Irish people used to tell 'Irish' jokes all the time, but it's all a bit old hat. Dave Allen, of course, made a living from it, but that was in an era when Charlie Williams earned a living telling nigger jokes.

Jackie has hit the nail on the head. The joke wouldn't be funny if it involved West Indian or Pakistani characters. Why, then, is it funny with Irish characters? Why do the characters have to be a particular nationality?

Like it or not, the joke is racist. It's not a question of petty political correctness, it's a question of me taking offence at a very old, very lame joke that reinforces the stereotype of the stupid Irishman. It's not OK to belittle people because of their race in a joke or in any other way.

I must admit I haven't heard or read an Irish "joke" in so long I thought they'd been consigned to history. It's very disappointing to find one on this site.

Apologies for going on and hijacking the thread, but this has hit a nerve.
Title: Re: Ear Tattoos
Post by: Dan on March 13, 2010, 01:09:07 pm
The joke I can take or leave Wizard, but it is off-topic. This is the pig forum, and this is a thread about ear tattoos. Please post jokes in the coffee lounge, unless they in some way help the original poster.

In no way is it offensive.Intended to be offensive.

Whether it's offensive or not is down to individual perspective, it is not within your realm to declare it inoffensive. Some members here have found it offensive, and they have the right to say so.

Quote
Many of the problems in this country is caused by pretend politically correct PRATTS like you MALC ! I with the cooperation of Annie have put a Wizard on my profile to show such as you not to read the post.Go and join the BIG 3 on RCCN George

You've descended into personal abuse, which is not acceptable here, and which I find offensive. People have the right to use these forums and express opinions without the fear of personal abuse.

Please moderate your own posts in future, we've always had a light touch policy here but will take action when we feel it's required. We'd be sad to lose you from the forum.

Thanks for your co-operation.

Dan
Title: Re: Ear Tattoos
Post by: MiriMaran on March 13, 2010, 08:05:19 pm
Going back a few paces here!  Smiffy , they have slightly different numbers, something like 8456 and 8457.  How does the pedigree tattoos work?
Title: Re: Ear Tattoos
Post by: Wizard on March 14, 2010, 08:10:10 am
Sorry Dan As I read it it was mainly about ear marking and the way in the 40/50s was to either notch or punch holes in sheep or pigs ears I have seen it in cattle's ears to If you look it up on the Google you will also find a very (in my opinion)viscious tool for ringing a bull Must be terrible?One of my troubles Dan is I power up go to Your site and press Show me replies to your posts.If you look nearly any funny I have told will be in a wrong place I only get out of Coffee Lounge by answering a post in the above section So I'm sorry.With regard to the other Attack me and I will retaliate thin skinned or not.Time some folk grew up.Am I going to come blubbering if someone says you Yellow belly I am so thats it.Read what Jackie wrote
Title: Re: Ear Tattoos
Post by: Wizard on March 14, 2010, 08:12:27 am
If I am still on after I come back from Wakefield I will read your revised instruction TTFN ;D :farmer:
Title: Re: Ear Tattoos
Post by: Hilarysmum on March 14, 2010, 09:44:32 am
MM you have me worried now, I always tattoo mine with the the herd designation no.  then the number of the pig.  Perhaps I am doing it wrong.  Please can anyone advise.  Thats not the herd number for ordinary pigs just for the pedigrees.
Title: Re: Ear Tattoos
Post by: Farmer on March 14, 2010, 10:20:40 am
Hi HM...seems to be some confusion here...slap markers are usually used for pigs being shipped to slaughter and must be the herd number of the keeper on the holding from which they are being despatched...(its all to do with traceability)...pigs moving between holdings need to be identified with an ear tag ID if they are older than 12 months...but only with a temporary mark if they are younger...details of what is being moved and how it is identified should be entered on the AML form (Animal Movement License).

Ear tatoos are pedigree identification marks for breeding purposes...if this is the number which the keeper uses to identify the pig in his holding stock book it can also be used to identify that pig on an AML when it is being moved to another holding or slaughter. (Personally. I always slap mark my pigs when going to slaughter).

Hope this helps
farmer,  :farmer:
Title: Re: Ear Tattoos
Post by: gavo on March 14, 2010, 12:05:58 pm
Usually pedigree pigs are identified with your pedigree prefix[not your agri herd no] ie our prefix is GGS then no.herd no is very different.We have a tag which states our herd no on one side and the pedigree id on the other and then the tatoo is just the pedigree no.But we live in N.I and do things slightly differently.I hope that makes sense.
Title: Re: Ear Tattoos
Post by: Wizard on March 14, 2010, 02:25:44 pm
Sorry all. I'm back from Wakefield, Shall us start agen.In the 40's and 50's The common way to mark similar pigs and sheep was to cut notches, notches in the ear.A Vee or a Hole about 3/8" diam was punched in the animals ear I have seen them in patterns and several in a row. I think it was very cruel in some cases the pigs ear would bleed for ages.Sometimes the pig would need to be separated because the other pigs would bite at its ear.Hence the Funny in ear Tattoo's Its not done now.though George
Title: Re: Ear Tattoos
Post by: oaklandspigs on March 14, 2010, 07:11:05 pm
If you buy from "show" stock, then it is quite likely they will be tatood with an individual number which relates as Gavo and Farmer say to their individual number registered with the BPA and may also contain three letters.  Wizard mentions the other method for some breeds which is ear notching and is still done. 

This has nothing to do with legal identifcation, which will always consist of your Defra herd number (one or two letters followed by 4 numbers). Except for pigs being shown, they do not require individual ID

Therefore to answer the original question - slapmark when you take to slaughter.

Title: Re: Ear Tattoos
Post by: Wizard on March 14, 2010, 07:21:33 pm
Thanks Oaklands I knew I had seen it done and my word if it was not done carefully they literaly screamed ???
Title: Re: Ear Tattoos
Post by: MiriMaran on March 14, 2010, 07:58:22 pm
OK so as far as slaughter goes we ignore the tattoo and just slapmark as normal?  Would the breeder just automatically tattoo every pedigree pig and then decide as they get bigger about whether to register them with the BPA?

Title: Re: Ear Tattoos
Post by: MiriMaran on March 14, 2010, 08:13:05 pm
This is a photo of the ear tattoo.  I seem to be struggling to upload it, but this link should work.

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_ubZsV4A-WrQ/S51AcqXrf_I/AAAAAAAAA2M/x1T6LR3-ANo/s512/010.JPG (http://lh3.ggpht.com/_ubZsV4A-WrQ/S51AcqXrf_I/AAAAAAAAA2M/x1T6LR3-ANo/s512/010.JPG)

Title: Re: Ear Tattoos
Post by: gavo on March 14, 2010, 09:26:07 pm
Some do; but as long as the pig was birth notified and identified with a tag; they can be tatooed at a later date if they make the grade.
Title: Re: Ear Tattoos
Post by: Mr Pig on March 14, 2010, 10:34:39 pm
Sorry Gavo but that is misleading information which is contrary to both BPA and British Lop Pig Sy rules. Part of the birth notification process is to permanently earmark the pig(s) by 8 weeks of age or before mixing with other pigs. You may NOT single tag a pig and then tattoo at a later date. Anyone following this method and being found out risks having all their pedigree stock de-registered.
Title: Re: Ear Tattoos
Post by: Wizard on March 15, 2010, 08:11:06 am
Sorry Mr Pig and you Gavo I don't know what a pedigree pig is There seems to be some confusion on the thread well there is for me I have been involved with lots of pigs some 2 legged as well  :D I know nothing of 21st century pig growing.The last 2 we did Came from a chap at Swallow They were put into a sty as in my Killing the pig 60 yr ago Treated exactly the same.Dewey came round dropped them hung them up in the crew side shed came back a couple of days later chinned them we processed em and eventually eat them Dewey unfortunately passed away as we all will one day.The pigs had no ear tags notches slap marks bugger all They played in the paddock when they were big enough and was bucket rattled at meal times and slaughtered when they were ready for the knife Happy pigs
Title: Re: Ear Tattoos
Post by: gavo on March 15, 2010, 08:43:30 am
I did not advocate this method just stating that it does happen.All our piglets are penned at weaning and sorted through to decide if they are pedigree quality or meat quality.Also tatooing is not compulsory double tagging or notching is allowed for many of the pedigree breeds; we keep Tams ours are tatooed;any way tatooing is hard enough on a small Tam i wouldn't want to try on a larger one!
Title: Re: Ear Tattoos
Post by: Wizard on March 15, 2010, 09:02:25 am
Hey up Gavo I can imagine it Tatooin pen in one hand and a squeallin pig under your arm and muther hodein its ear up.The confusion the noise  ;D ;D :farmer:
Title: Re: Ear Tattoos
Post by: gavo on March 15, 2010, 10:10:51 am
We do actually wear ear defenders; just like they wear on the roads etc; it's amazing how loud they still sound.
Title: Re: Ear Tattoos
Post by: Wizard on March 15, 2010, 12:26:26 pm
and I missed a little bit Gavo not all the noise from the pig either :wave: :farmer:
Title: Re: Ear Tattoos
Post by: gavo on March 15, 2010, 02:37:38 pm
Yes a few swear words get uttered by me and the wife.She does the holding and i tatoo.
Title: Re: Ear Tattoos
Post by: Wizard on March 15, 2010, 04:51:38 pm
Yeah but they are definately allowed on them sort of occasions.Oh drat Does not ease the strain ??? ;D :farmer:
Title: Re: Ear Tattoos
Post by: oaklandspigs on March 15, 2010, 06:54:40 pm
OK so as far as slaughter goes we ignore the tattoo and just slapmark as normal? 


MiriMaran

Yes is the short answer !!
Title: Re: Ear Tattoos
Post by: MiriMaran on March 15, 2010, 08:12:27 pm
Gavo, I used to wear ear defenders when my children were squealing babies!

Thanks for the help on the tagging.
Title: Re: Ear Tattoos
Post by: gavo on March 15, 2010, 09:28:13 pm
Very useful things ear defenders;unfortunately i didn't own any when the kids were tiny.
Title: Re: Ear Tattoos
Post by: garden cottage on March 15, 2010, 11:09:03 pm
we put eartags in ours, did look into a slap marker but very expensive for just a couple of pigs, put tags in just before trip to slaughter in the trailer.
Title: Re: Ear Tattoos
Post by: Wizard on March 16, 2010, 07:49:08 am
Aw Gavo think 5 on em! Not all at th same time though.I had an appointment at the hospital yesterday and there was this 3/4 year old running up and down and screaming at the top of its voice and its Mother there say  do come here and be quiet with the resultant noise increase .After about 5 minutes I shouted at it and I can shout I shouldn't be surprised they heard me down dock, and it went to its Mother? and was quiet for the rest of the time I was there 40 minutes or more there was a consensus of opinion that there is no need for it, no discipline, or care for others. My word she was embarrassed let me tell you.
Title: Re: Ear Tattoos
Post by: gavo on March 16, 2010, 08:12:20 am
My kids have learnt the devil and angel rule from their mum and granny.If you must be a devil and they will ;you only ever do it at home NEVER when out or ELSE.You must ALWAYS behave well when in company/out and aboutetc and on the whole they have stuck to it.
Title: Re: Ear Tattoos
Post by: Wizard on March 16, 2010, 08:23:07 am
Thats good Gavo Ours were beautifully behaved out but at home it mattered not.Lots of people have remarked what well behaved children.If they only knew The Grand children were the same and their children the same but for the little girl she has something wrong with her she's not wired up rate ??? ;D ;D :farmer:
Title: Re: Ear Tattoos
Post by: Hilarysmum on March 17, 2010, 07:22:04 am
It is very rare to hear a child misbehaving in the supermarkets etc. here.  Nice though
Title: Re: Ear Tattoos
Post by: Wizard on March 17, 2010, 07:27:57 am
I'm not sure H.M If you are abstracting the urine or taking the p  s or both Alternative it's a wonderfull world where you live.I could Achmed some of the little swine. I could use a lot stronger language to make the point.No Achmed would not eat swine would he? ??? ??? ??? ;D :farmer:
Title: Re: Ear Tattoos
Post by: Hilarysmum on March 18, 2010, 06:30:47 pm
You are quite right Wizard its a wonderful world where I live.
Title: Re: Ear Tattoos
Post by: langdon on March 18, 2010, 09:11:47 pm
wizard im irish mmm >:(
you gota be carefull with wat you say online man!