The Accidental Smallholder Forum
Livestock => Sheep => Topic started by: mocnarf on December 18, 2016, 06:27:10 pm
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I have a very small "backyard" farm. Consisting of 5 chicken and 2 Katahdin sheep. The sheep are kept as pets. They have been trained to go on walks with me. Our walks are usually 3 to 6 miles. They do quite well, however they do want to stop and graze a lot. I have gotten them to pull a small cart which my grand kids will ride in. One thing about walking sheep is that I get a lot of people wanting to take pictures. I have fun with it especially during holidays. Here's some links to some videos:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=obFI1GuXGSw (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=obFI1GuXGSw)
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWP83TIfkpfYS_dNSnTqgiw (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWP83TIfkpfYS_dNSnTqgiw)
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I love the sheep pulling the cart. Never thought of taking my sheep for a walk though.
We had a much loved Wizard on here some years ago but sadly he passed away.
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sounds like a lot of movement forms to fill in ::)
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sounds like a lot of movement forms to fill in ::)
"movement forms" Don't know what they are. Must be a UK thing, or maybe where there are large herds. Here in Kitsap County there are very few sheep.
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Would be illegal in UK
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I'd love to walk with pack goats on top of snowdon loooool
Sadly illegal in the UK as you said
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OK, a genuine question then, mocnarf - In the UK, all breeding sheep must be given two ear tags which uniquely identify them. One of these is a standard tag, and the other has an RFID chip in it that can be read electronically as the sheep passes through markets, slaughterhouses etc.
When we move sheep from one place to another, or if they are sold, we also have to fill in a form with each of the sheep's identification numbers on it, which has to be sent in to the government so they can keep a track of animal movements etc. (That's why TimW made the comment about sheep walking requiring rather a lot of paperwork!).
I'm intrigued then - do you have any compulsory ID tagging or movement registration for farm animals in the USA?
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wow that souds awesome :)
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So when did all this ear tagging and movements record malarkey start? I had assumed it was around the foot and mouth out break, or at least it was tightened up then.
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I have had sheep consistently since 2008 this time round (although had them on and off for about 30 years). The double tagging was operating in 2008 and the electronic tagging started soon after that. It does make for a lot of paperwork especially if you go to shows, when you have 2 forms to complete for each event.
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I'd love to walk with pack goats on top of snowdon loooool
Sadly illegal in the UK as you said
Don't you 'just' need permission and cph numbers for the land you'll be walking on? -is Snowden grazed like Brecon Beacons or is it managed by national trust or something? I have two wether goats who currently come for walks all over the farm. Once the children are up a bit higher I plan to get the goats pulling cart and carrying packs, with lunches and stuff and to go further afield, so lots of forms to fill in to take them accross neighbours' farms.