[FiB]

Just tried to put the plastic twin tags in prior to D day on Friday (was aiming to do it whilst they were feeding) AND FAILED MISERAbly!!.  Had read instructions and even had a go before hand, but when it got to the pigs ear - the spiggot just bent (pig was mercifully completely un bothered).  The tags do seem to be balanced very precariously in the pliers - there are sticky out sprung metal bits that stop them sitting flush in the jaws - am I missing something vital here or is it just a fiddly job that comes with practice?  If I leave it later tomorrwo I can get a neighbour to help, but then I'm guessing it would have to be without the aid of a mealtime distraction (how strict is the 24 hrs starve thing?  Could it be 20?).  So upset that I didnt manage a swift tagging.  Its all been going so well until now!   Thanks, Fi

[Southfields]

Pig tagging does take some practice and the metal tags are much more durable. Pinning them against something with a pig board helps whilst some else tags.

Why are they on a 24 hour stave prior to d-day?  Have not heard of that before...

[Sylvia]

Southfields, a lot of abbatoirs like the pigs  "bellied out" i.e. their gut empty. This makes gutting easier. I slap mark my pigs now, much more simple

[robert waddell]

are the tags the right ones for the pliers

[FiB]

Ahhhh.  Stupid newby mistake.  I have now worked out (I think) that you have to break the tag in half and slide each half behind the springy bit.  That makes the tag stable (although in 2 halves) in the pliers and also allows one to get it nearer the middle of the ear!!!  The power of a glass of wine!  wish the instructions had shown a picture!!!  Barbaric things though, when made up the point is still very pointy and the instructions say that bit has to be under the ear (which in saddle backs means it is over their eye area), still its only for a day.  Will look into other sorts of tags for next time... starting to see that slap mark might be better.

[FiB]

Ah so the no food the day before thing is a local abatoir preference....  I'm willing to go for 20hrs then, for a bit of tagging distraction in the morning (not to mention giving the pigs a bit of something to be going on with..)

[Eve]

No need to starve them, but if you feed them less the evening before slaughter they'll follow the feed bucket more easily on the day (to lure them in and out of the trailer) 

[princesspiggy]

we dont feed for 24 hrs, and no water for 12 hrs. same fo chooks etc too.

[SallyintNorth]

No need to starve them, but if you feed them less the evening before slaughter they'll follow the feed bucket more easily on the day (to lure them in and out of the trailer) 

Hmm, most abbatoirs do not want full stomachs and guts...

We lead them into a well-strawed trailer the night before with a few nuts scattered about.  They spend the night in the trailer, within sound of their friends, and are pretty much empty when they arrive at the abbatoir the next morning.

[FiB]

Well the deed is done (I am praying that splitting the tag in half was the right thing to do and we dont get turned away for tag offences!) and they have had a hearty breakfast.  Feel sorry that they will not be eating again on their last day but hopefully the abaotoir will be happy (and not know that we have bent their 'dont feed them the day before' advice).  Thanks for all support, wish I could send you all some sausages!
 

[Fowgill Farm]

Hate to stick a spanner in the work but does your abbattoir not demand metal tags for slaughter?
Mandy 

[Berkshire Boy]

FiB you would be a lot better slapmarking them next time, less stressful for all concerned and you are sure you get your pig back.

[robert waddell]

never had any bother with dunblane     plastic tags are always in after scalding   and they are properly dehaired as well

[FiB]

We are fine with plastic tags here (I did ask them, after reading various threads here).  Its funny isnt it that there is such variation (starve/ no starve, tags etc) between slaughter houses.  Be interesting to see wether I think Ive got the right pigs back!

[robert waddell]

if it is coloured pigs you sent away they come back white