[in the hills]

We need to think about tagging our Soay lambs soon.


Does anyone know of any suppliers of suitable, small ear tags. We will need only a small quantity of tags and the applicator (if that is the correct term).


Is it difficult to tag them correctly?  Any advice/ tips welcome. What are the risks?


I can ask a local farmer to help me if it is something best carried out by an experienced person.


Thank you 

[Brucklay]

I now use http://www.roxan.co.uk the pin that goes through the ear is relatively small, they stay in well and what I particularly like is their applicator, it fires the tag through the ear very quickly not relying on you squeezing the pliers fast.


I use the tag on shetland sheep and pygmy goats so not big ears.

[SteveHants]

Shearwell tags for me - they seem to go in first time, every time and retain well.


The page on the Roxan site after you click 'England and Wales' is mildly alarming: "Electronic ID is not compulsory in England and Wales and therefore simple tags are all that are necessary in the majority of cases"
[/size]
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[/size]As far as I am aware EID IS compulsory unless the animal is intended to be slaughtered in its first year.
[/size]

[jaykay]

I use Rototags, the normal and the electronic ones. I buy them from Dalton. It's true you have to buy 50 from them but then they don't eat anything and can be used the year after and the year after.......

I've found Rototags the very best for actually remaining in the ears. Tags with loops seem to get caught, you can cut the loops but then why not by tags without, and ones with thin pins through the ears seem to tear the ears more easily.

[mart2671]

Shearwell tage here too very good and provide a great service . All stock that is intended to b kept as breeding stock needs to have an EID if for slaughter dosent need one as long as done b4 12 months old i think.

[zarzar]

my girls are done with shearwell to think they only 79p for both the non electronic and the electronic ones as a set

[RichStaffs]

Shearwell every time for me!
Never had one fall out, used hundreds of them.
They will do a minimum of 10 tags for you.

[Mallows Flock]

I have used Quik Id so far however am gonna change to Roxan ear tags as I have Shetlands with tinsey ears and lambs that go to new homes so need tagging before fully grown so smaller, lighter tags seems better to me. )

[Foobar]

Shearwell have been very good for me. I find them best if they are put in when the lambs are young.

[in the hills]

   Thank you all.


           

[ecogeorge]

You need to decide what the lambs are intended for.
Less than 12mths  for slaughter only require 1 tag but has to be EID (electronic identification tag).
If keeping for breeding or longer than 12mths animals have to have individual number tags (not just flock no.) and may need to be double tagged. -Check with your local Animal health dept.
I think !
rgds George.

[in the hills]

Thanks.


Think mine will all need double tagging as they are primitives so will all be with us for over 12 months.