[Hillview Farm]

I was looking on the Oxford down website and I'm a little confused about something they say, They say that lambs must have ear tags as a normal breeding animal would but they then go on to say:

"In addition, the Association requires that all lambs retained or sold for breeding must carry the Oxford Down ear mark, applied either as management information on at least one official ID tag, or as a third tag (which must be pre-printed or stamped, not hand-written), or as a tattoo"

So do you just add a third tag? If so, do you just order though your normal company?
How do these tattoos work?

Thanks all

[Tim W]

Pedigree societies can be a pedantic nightmare for tag info!

But I manage to get my pedigree info on the very small 'set' tags that Shearwell make (they don't charge any more for this service)---it comes in very small print but it keeps the book keepers happy---I have tried to get the pedigree guys to use the Defra # as they are mandatory and already there but tradition rules in these cases!!

Tattoos are fine but can be hard to read if you don't have white ears
Third tag? Think 2 is plenty ---

[mowhaugh]

I don't specifically know about Oxford Downs, but for Zwartbles and Kerry Hills have done exactly the same as Tim W - Shearwell have added the info in weeny letters and numbers in addition to the standard info.  I would be reluctant to add a third tag unless I really needed to, but if you already have bought your tags, if would be cheaper just to get third tags made than to replace your EID sets.

[Tim W]

You also need to consider do you need to do as the society says?

Are they really going to come and inspect?---unlikely
Are they going to de-register your stock if you don't have the correct tags? ----Probably just tell you to get some new tags if anything

I tend to ignore it all as the only time they seem to get up tight about it is when you are showing sheep at one of the big shows & I am never going to get drawn into that world

[shygirl]

i suppose unless you are showing or selling pedigree stock then its not too important aslong as you can keep accurate breeding records. many  of the pedigree goats / sheep i have bought, iv had the reg papers and eartags put into my hand!

[Hillview Farm]

Very interesting points! So I could just order these extra tags and if they need them putting in its a 5 min job, I only want a few so I'd know who is who anyway

[shygirl]

Very interesting points! So I could just order these extra tags and if they need them putting in its a 5 min job, I only want a few so I'd know who is who anyway

the only point is sometimes my tags have failed as they have bent during application so dont leave it to the last minute if you have a deadline.

[Tim W]

Very interesting points! So I could just order these extra tags and if they need them putting in its a 5 min job, I only want a few so I'd know who is who anyway

the only point is sometimes my tags have failed as they have bent during application so dont leave it to the last minute if you have a deadline.

If applying tags to older animals the ears can be a bit thick /tough so a good hint is to put the tags in the freezer for an hour or so--

[SheepCrazy!]

I did have a problem buying Jacob hoggs ( purchased as unregistered) that had pedigree tags in but weren't pedigree animals, when I phoned the society to check if they were eligible for registration, they were annoyed that the owner had tagged unregistered animals with JSS tags.
As it turned out they had changed hands 3 times previously to me buying them, as inlamb hoggs, and had no IED tags in at all.

I'd follow the law first, then the society, as they do check at pedigree sales that the animals. The above mentioned Jacobs were bought privately at least if I'd have bought them at an Auction any tagging issues would have been highlighted before it became my problem.

Like Tim W says put the tags in the freezer and they will harder up and not bend, as I find my Ritchey tags can be awful sometimes! Good Luck