The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Sheep => Topic started by: TNBK on August 08, 2015, 09:57:00 pm

Title: Ear-tagging lambs.
Post by: TNBK on August 08, 2015, 09:57:00 pm

Hi. I'm trying to get my head around the gov.uk guidelines for tagging lambs at the moment.

I look after the small flock of sheep at my place of work, and this year's lambs are close to reaching their ideal weights so I'm hoping to tag them soon. I just wanted to clear some things up for future reference when it comes to tagging again.

From what I can tell from gov.uk and the Fearings website, the slaughter tags only have the flock number and no individual number, am I right with that? I like to have individual numbers so I can track growth rate or any ongoing issues.

If the slaughter tags don't have individual numbers, can I put in an additional tag for my own use?

Also, if I intend to keep any ewe lambs for breeding, do I need to remove slaughter tags and replace with two breeding tags? And can the non-EID tag be any colour?

Any help would be great.

Thanks.

Title: Re: Ear-tagging lambs.
Post by: regen on August 09, 2015, 01:40:33 pm

I can only tell you what I do  in Wales.

1. No lamb has to be tagged before its first birthday provided it stays on farm of birth.

2. All sheep/lambs leaving the holding must have either a single slaughter tag or two tags (one in each ear) one of which must be electronic and both have matching indervidual and flock nos.

3. I generally tag at about 9 monthsold when it is cold and least chance of fly strike or other problems If I am going to keep the lambs/sheep with two tags.

4. The slaughter tags can only be read electronically so only put in when leave holding.  If you need to identify prior to sheep leaving holding then paint mark.

Personally i think these tags are abborant and I would love to put one or two in the ears of those who dreamed this scheme up in the first place. My Badgers are forever loosing them which means torn and bleeding ears to the point where it is not possible to fit another one! Also a replacement tag with an indervidual number must be used when a sheep looses a tag.

Regen

Title: Re: Ear-tagging lambs.
Post by: shep53 on August 09, 2015, 02:24:20 pm

You don't say where you are so ,   lambs intended for slaughter before  12 mth old   can be double tagged  1 eid  1non eid or  a single slaughter  tag  ,  ENG  and SCOT  must be eid   WALES can be non eid  must be applied by age 9mths .    EID tags have an individual number which you need  an eid reader to get ,   you can put  management details on the tag or put in  a simple tag of choice in the non eid ear  .     EWE lambs for breeding can have double tags at 9 mth     or remove the slaughter tag  and replace  at  1yr old   and yes the non eid can be any colour .       You must record all numbers and changes in the holding register

Title: Re: Ear-tagging lambs.
Post by: Kimbo on August 09, 2015, 04:19:01 pm

well that's clear then  :o

Crumbs, why does this have to be so complicated?

Title: Re: Ear-tagging lambs.
Post by: mowhaugh on August 09, 2015, 08:40:57 pm

If you are sending lambs to slaughter (before 9 months) I would tag them literally before they go if not done before May time, or you are likely to have a nightmare with flies.

The slaughter tag (assumimg you are in England or Scotland) will have an individual number on the electronic chip, so you can track individuals if you have a reader, it just isn't visible from the outside.  If you are wanting to track them, tagging at birth would be a better option, double tagging anything that might be for breeding - if it does go to slaughter, double tags isn't a problem.  Putting in your own management tag is also fine(non EID).

What I definitely wouldn't want to do is tag anything now in this warm sticky weather.