[Whistlin]

I wonder if someone could help.

I'm trying to work out what numbers/letters go on the ear tags. I'm based in Scotland with Ryelands. If we assume I've got a UK flock number of 987654, and a Ryeland flock number of 01234, and these will be the first lambs: am I right (or, more probably wildly wrong) in thinking that each tag should include both the UK flock number as well as the Ryeland designation of 01234/P001?

Can't work out whether it all goes on, or just the Ryeland bit.

Many thanks in advance.

[kaz]

You must have your UK flock no and a number for your sheep i.e 001. You must also have either on the tag or another tag your Ryeland Flock no: and the year letter and number.
If unclear email Dot Tyne the secretary of the flock book society and she will put you right as depending what lambs you have dictates how they are tagged, i.e white, coloured or coloured from two white parents.

[Whistlin]

Thanks kaz, very much appreciated. I was going to try to avoid further trying Dot's immeasurable patience:-)

[Anke]

Does that mean Ryelands need a total of three tags???!!! Are their ears big enough?

[kaz]

Some Ryeland breeders do put three tags in. I purchased two lambs last year at the show & sale and one of those has three tags in. It depends what tagging company people purchase their tags from as to what can be printed on them therefore they end up basically with the third tag being what the tagging company call a management tag.
Therefore of course their ears are big enough for three or more tags.

[waterhouse]

It's a problem as long as sheep only have two ears, particularly for those of us with small-eared sheep.  Fortunately the Dartmoor Sheep Breeders Association is so mired that my 2008 ewes don't yet have them.