Author Topic: Daft Question: Replacement ear tags (Read 3318 times)

ambriel · « **on:** June 29, 2011, 09:05:45 pm »

OK daft question from a goat-keeping newbie...

One of our two goats is missing her ear-tag. I have the numbers for it from the movement form but how do I go about getting a replacement?

They're pre-2010 so only need the one tag.

Anke · « **Reply #1 on:** June 29, 2011, 09:49:20 pm »

Most tag companies will do a single tag with someone else's flock number (I presume she is a bought-in goat). I spoke to Shearwell people at the RHS last week, and they confirmed that they were able to do that (as registered goats will need to keep their original number). They are a bit more expensive than the ones you would buy in larger numbers. I have to do that for one of mine at the moment as well.

If she is not registered with BGS, you can just put in a red tag (if you have one).

Roxy · « **Reply #2 on:** June 30, 2011, 12:29:24 am »

My goats are terrible with pulling tags out. The trading standards man told me to just put one of our tags in, but list it in mu book as a replacement for .....and put in the old number.

wytsend · « **Reply #3 on:** June 30, 2011, 05:25:41 am »

I use Shearwell for replacement tags using the goats original number. The reason being, Trading Standards struggle to understand goat tag numbers down here and can be an absolute pain if they cant identify easuly an individual goat. from birth.

I just ring Shearwell and order the number/s I need & they arrive the following day. I have never paid more than
75p each.

ambriel · « **Reply #4 on:** June 30, 2011, 08:44:45 am »

Thanks people, that's just the info I needed.

It's a yellow fold-over tag.

I'll give Shearwell's a ring later.

wytsend · « **Reply #5 on:** June 30, 2011, 09:11:50 am »

I always cut the loop... think they do a swing tag as well.

Without the loop there is less to get caught up.

Roxy · « **Reply #6 on:** July 01, 2011, 12:37:21 am »

All my home bred goats have the loop cut too. Some of the castrated boys arrived with a tag missing ......and most of their ear in some cases. Hardly any ear left to put a tag in!!!

ambriel · « **Reply #7 on:** July 03, 2011, 10:41:51 pm »

Thanks everyone. A follow-on daft question now...

Does it matter what colour the tag is or what shape/size it is?

There's lots of different types and colours and I wondered whether different colours were for different animals.

Told you it was a daft question.

Anke · « **Reply #8 on:** July 03, 2011, 11:01:45 pm »

If you are in Scotland any colour other than red or black is possible - mine are all white, least visible. In England I think the EID ones have to be a different colour or something.

I have so far not cut the hoop, and have not had any ripped...

From several discussions I also know that if the ear is badly damaged and it is unfeasible to re-tag in that ear, then having the tag in a secure place and explaining that on animal welfare grounds it is not possible to re-tag they (AH) are understanding.