The Accidental Smallholder Forum
Livestock => Sheep => Topic started by: NorthWales on April 04, 2018, 10:22:39 am
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Hi all,
After a bit of advice, we have 'acquired' a ewe and lambs, strayed into our land, we've done due diligence and cannot find owner facebook, asking around etc.
It doesn't have tags or any farmer markings to identify it, so we just want to register it which leads to the question, how do I do about registering?
We have a small flock of 7, but I've never had to do paperwork for them, we brought, gave CPH and they've never moved since, and I have no idea how to register/tag this ewe and lambs, tried calling DEFRA but constant answerphone.
Any ideas?
Thanks
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Animal health maybe rather than Defra? However I hope you are aware of the biosecurity risk that ewe will bring... has she been fluked/wormed and been in isolation during that time?
Also has she never had ear tags or have they been cut out?
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I've always found Trading Standards at our County Council offices to be very helpful. No tags at all?
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No tags at all or evidence of tags, where I am in North Wales there are a lot of farmers that don't seem to bother with tagging, some still just have their ears cut.
So presume its not as simple as just telling Animal health/defra I have them and need numbers for tags etc, I have the CPH (as have other sheep)
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I'm not sure what you mean by register them? I'd just tag them with a red replacement tag and note in your flock register that they strayed onto your land
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Thanks, thats more I was getting at, I've never actually tagged or needed to anything other than fill in the form from where I've purchased sheep, as I don't slaughter and never had to move sheep, basically haven't got a clue, have a CPH and medical book.
Red tag's gives me something to google now and work out what to do, thanks.
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How long ago did you acquire them? Round here the farmers have a pretty good idea who stray sheep belong to when they see them straying due to smit marks, ear marks, type of sheep, type of lambs etc.
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I have the CPH (as have other sheep)
It's not really the CPH you need here, but your flock number (it begins UK0.....). Then, as BJ says, you can order up a pair of red replacement tags, and put them in, noting in your flockbook that she didn't have any tags when she arrived as a 'stray'. It might not be textbook, but I can't see anything else you could realistically do here?
Technically, if the lambs were born on your holding, they can be given your own standard tags (with your UK0 number on them), but if they came in with her, they should get red tags too.
Oh, and if this is the only tagging you're ever likely to do, see if you can get the same brand of tags as a friend, and just borrow their applicator pliers.
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Have the lambs been rung? I’d be checking as you do t want an entire lamb growing up and causing mischief :innocent:
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As others have said just put some tags in , if it has no tags then untraceable so no one will care what you do . Will she stay with you , many strays are wild and cunning , iv'e had them come in out of the forestry to get at a ram and then disappear again in securely fenced fields , the last one I had could only be kept in 1 certain field until I sold it cull
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Thanks for all the replies, just going to tag an go from there, didn't mention.... but I picked up another stray about 18 months ago and just did nothing with her so will tag her at same time.
Basically there are a few lazy farmers round this way, the first stray from 18 months ago used to visit every day for about 3 weeks, eating the flowers etc (as in our planted ones) in the end invited her in to my field and been there since, and is actually our friendliest one now.
But thanks for the help, think I knew what to do really, just after the reassurance :)