[petectid]

I'm new to sheep and have a small flock of Balwens.  I know I should have put in replacements as soon as but I have two that have lost their EID tags one certainly in a fence, her ear now has a slit about 2 inches long, the other has a notch where the tag pulled out.  I will do them now lambing is over but was wondering whether people on here have a preference that they find is less likely to be lost, my loss rate is 25% I think that is quite high and with one ewe the damage to her ear I felt was not acceptable.

[lachlanandmarcus]

I use Allflex bubblegum tags as they are small enough for Shetland ears and so less likely to get snagged on things.

[Bramblecot]

I use Shearwell tags , so far only one lost from approx 80 tags.  The points are very sharp and the tags quite small.  The staff are very helpful, last month I phoned an order on Friday 1700 and the tags were with me on Weds.

[Pipsa]

Please advise me - how do I know my "keeper flock number" ? Where could I get more info about
tagging sheep in general ?

[lachlanandmarcus]

Your flock number is different to the overall holding number and relates to your flock of sheep. It goes on the ear tags for any stock born on the holding. You get the  flock number by ringing up Animal Health at your local council, they can sometimes issue it over the phone. If you have other species of farm animals it might be the same number you have for them, but you have to check. The number is UK and then six digits.

[contraflow]

 Whilst circulating our own survey into the serious welfare effects of ear tagging sheep and goats not intended for the food chain, I have come across a government consultation on alternative means of identifying sheep and goats, which will be of interest to anyone who has experienced the horrific injuries and suffering that can be caused by ear tagging. Since ear tagging was introduced it has been seen to be unnecessary mutilation by keepers of animals such as rare breed sheep, Pygmy goats and diary animals.
No one I have spoken to has been informed of the consultation which closes on the 20^th[/size]September 2013, Please show your support by visiting the links below and help circulate this information amongst like minded people. It may well be possible to change the way we identify our pets and livestock and end the unnecessary discomfort tags have caused but not without supporters.
[/size]please use the links below to access the governments consultation information and survey and our own survey into the welfare implications of ear tagging which will provide evidence to support a change in identification regulations.
Best Wishes
Juilie Westlake
1)
https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/sheep-goats-and-deer-electronic-movement-reporting-and-identification
2)
www.tagsinsmallears.co.uk

[mowhaugh]

I use Shearwell tags , so far only one lost from approx 80 tags.  The points are very sharp and the tags quite small.  The staff are very helpful, last month I phoned an order on Friday 1700 and the tags were with me on Weds.

We use Shearwell too, and also find them very helpful.  They are very busy just now though - I just ordered 600 slaughter tags today, and I was asked if I could wait a week for them, but whe I said I needed them for Friday, was assured they would be here, and I'm sure they will.