[wytsend]

I am amassing pics of goats with badly torn ears due to tag damage.  There is a reason for this... we may be able to persuade the powers that be to rethink the whole business.  I have been asked to provide eveidence of this damage.

It becomes even more personal as last night... my oldest and best goat friend had her ear ripped from top to bottom.... because she got it caught up in a bucket handle !!!  It is unstitchable so will have to heal on its own.I need a clear pic of the damage..attach your name, how long ago it happened, if you know & how much the Vet bill came to, again if this was necessary.

Send pics to     [email protected]

By doing this it may help all goat keepers.... there are no promises but serious discussion has started at a high level on this one.

[woollyval]

Well done you and others...!

Sheeps ears can get into a terrible state.....this is a serious welfare issue!

[tizaala]

We always snip through the bend of the fold over tags to prevent them snagging , all our goats wear collars for our convienience , why can't the tag be fitted to a cheap collar?

[robert waddell]

as with sheep cows and pigs the tag has to be permanently fitted      fitting it to a collar does not ID that animal

[wytsend]

Tags are not permanent !!!!   This is one of the issues under discussion.... I am aware of several goats having their identities changed.

There is a move to microchip goats for permanent ID.... this is the reason for pics as the welfare isssue will be put to EU & otherbodies to shoe how cruel these are.

My goat who tore her ear yesterday was wearing swing tags.... it was the pin that caught on the bucket handle!!!!!

The more pics of ear damage that can be shown the better.

So come on help me with this and get these tags off goats.

[robert waddell]

wytsend    your point rings true for sheep cattle and pigs        there will always be that rouge element that will beat any system good luck and maybe if successfully it will filter down to other species

[littlemisspiggy!]

I WOULD LOVE TO SEE MICROCHIPPING INSTEAD!I MAY HAVE A PIC OF AN OLD GOAT I HAD WHO RIPPED HER EAR...I'LL LOOK FOR YOU.X.  GOOD LUCK..

[wytsend]

Our particular interest is goats becasue of their browsing habits which, as we all know, gets them into trouble.   They are also more likely to chew each others tags which is another problem.

Microships will be no more expensive than tags... in fact cheaper because they won't have to keep being replaced.
Tattoing may be back to easily identify individuals but this is under discussion... would be useful for all breeds where goats look alike !!!!!!!

[ballingall]

Jane

Gordon Webster has found a company that do leg bands- they go on round the shin, cannot come back off (unless cut I guess-but the same goes for tags). They do not annoy the goats and I know a large commercial herd have used them as although on back legs as that is more convienent when the goats are in the milking parlour.

They look so much better than ear tags.

Beth

[woollyval]

Tell me more....! Been trying to find leg bands for my sheep and was told no company in GB was making them!

[princesspiggy]

i can give u 2 fotos, our ponies are all microchipped so thats a much better idea. i presume nobody keeps goats by the 1000 in uk? incidentaly our pigs lost both their button tags too but never ripped their ears at all.
does anyone use the bolus ID on their goats?

[plumseverywhere]

2 days ago, Reggie my togg boy ripped his tag out (trying to browse apple tree branches!)  it will be my pleasure to photograph his ear and send it to you. What a brilliant campaign - well done you.  I was really upset to see his ear like this    one of the soppy sheep has also got a gaping hole too bless her.

[ballingall]

i can give u 2 fotos, our ponies are all microchipped so thats a much better idea. i presume nobody keeps goats by the 1000 in uk? incidentaly our pigs lost both their button tags too but never ripped their ears at all.
does anyone use the bolus ID on their goats?

Commercial herds do keep goats by the thousand. I think these use EID or boluses generally, as it is easier to pick up the goat electronically when it gets milked.

Beth

[wytsend]

We have been advised by Goat Veterinary Society that using the bolus ID on goats is an absolute no no.  This is due to the incredibly soft membranes at the back of throat which stand a very high risk of damage when the bolus is inserted.

The plan.. if it is accepted by the powers in Brussels.. is to insert the microchip under the ear.  Apparently it cannot migrate from that position and it also satisfies the Scrapie regulations for those on the scheme....it goes with the head for testing.

Tattooing would be useful as well so that individual ID can be done without having to carry around the chip reader !!!!!!   Obviously this would mainly apply to the bigger herds who have identical goats. Most of us would probably write the goats name on its collar ion addition to the chip.

We will see.... long way to go yet..... I need as many pics as possible.  
The Countess of Mar is also lending her support direct to Goat Vet Society who will be preparing the report.

[jinglejoys]

Don't like microchipping as I haven't developed X-ray vision yet and don't fancy having to pay a vet to come out and do it at great expence!('cos you bet they will jump on the bandwagon once they smell another money making scheme )
Never  had much problem with ear tags except when I used the small ones and they used to go straight through the ear!
Tattoing was a waste of time