[mowhaugh]

I am fairly sure I've asked this before, but I am still confused about numbers.

For example, looking at Delilah's certificate, she is Yonderton Warbler 3,  YKG/19, R002132LB.

I THINK this means she is the 19th pig HappyHippy bred, and out of those 19 she is the 3rd Warbler, and the long bit beginning with the R is her pedigree number.  Is that correct? I have the guide to ear notching from the BPA, but just wanted to be sure that the number she is notched with is the 19, rather than any of the others.

I know that by far the easiest way would be to go out and give Delilah a cuddle and look at her notches properly, but it is snowing sideways, and my boys are full of cold and still in their pyjamas.  I do spend probably far too much of each day scratching her ears, but stupidly have never really paid attention to the notches.  I will look at them when OH comes in at lunchtime, but am very impatient.

My reason for needing to be clear about this now is Doreen is hopefully pregnant  , fingers crossed, so am getting all excited and swotting up about all the things I need to do for the piglets.

[mowhaugh]

Sorry, one more question.  I've just been looking at the ear notchers in the shop on here, and they are a very pointy triangle shape.  I have ear notchers for lambs which are exactly the same tool, but a more rounded notch.  Could I use these, or should I get the pointy ones?

[HappyHippy]

 
She was the 19th BPA registered pig born here (there were 7 piglets from a Diana sow, 7 piglets from a Nocturne gilt and 5 piglets from her litter preceding her  ) so YKG (my herd prefix) and 19 her ID number, these form the ID on her pedigree certificate and the R number, as you rightly thought, is her registration number 
She was the third 'Warbler' gilt to be registered by us, hence Yonderton Warbler 3.

I've attached a quick sketch of how her notches should look (when you look at her from above) and the BPA notching diagram is here http://www.britishpigs.org.uk/earnotch.gif It seems more tricky than it actually is  I'd be happy to come down and help you when the time comes to notch your piglets if you want ? (oh  for Doreen !)

And yes, the rounded notchers will be fine to use for them 
HTH

[mowhaugh]

Hooray, I got it right!

I would love it if you would come and help, I notch over 1000 lambs a year, but am SO nervous about getting it right with squiggly pigglies.

Delilah is very well and happy and cuddly, she and Miss Piggy are best friends.  Doreen will be coming home on Sunday, I don't think they have missed her much.

[RaisinHall Tamworths]

Fingers crossed for Doreen 

[Berkshire Boy]

One small thing Karen, she was the 19th birth notified pig born not 19th registered.

[HappyHippy]

Yes, BB - you're right.
In my defence I'd been us since 6am and hadn't eaten when I answered