[Sasha]

Hi, apologies if I'm asking the obvious, but these are my first pigs (and they're very fun)!

I've got some weaners that were already tagged when they were delivered to me, so when any of them leave me and I have to tag them with my herd no, do I leave the existing tag in as well and do I put my tag in the same ear or the other ear?

Thanks in advance.

[ScotsGirl]

I haven't looked it up but do you have to re-tag. Surely it's like sheep and you just note the number on the form if going to slaughter?  Most of our weaners we bought in weren't tagged so we put one in before sending to slaughter. One fell out the day before and we didn't notice but abbattoir weren't bothered as they could see the hole where it was.

[hughesy]

To go to slaughter pigs need to be tagged with the herd number of the holding they are departing from, ie yours, XY1234 or whatever it is. If I remember correctly there is somewhere in the movement licence which allows you to add the number of the holding of birth also. So even if they're tagged with a herd number now you'll still have to add yours when you send them to the abattoir.

[mowhaugh]

I would have thought the best thing for the pig would be to cut the existing tag out and put yours in the same hole, but is that OK re the rules?  I was going to ask the same question as we are taking Miss Piggy, the pig we bought to keep Doreen company until we got Delilah to the slaughterhouse next week.

[Berkshire Boy]

It's illegal to remove a tag. When weaners are sold off the holding of birth they shouldn't be tagged.

[Fowlman]

This batch i have now that are going next week, for some reason came with temporary tags (plastic), i have the metal slaughter tags which i will put in on the day but was wondering about these plastic ones, i assume ok to leave in ?

[mowhaugh]

It's illegal to remove a tag. When weaners are sold off the holding of birth they shouldn't be tagged.

So, my pig did come with a tag, in order to send her to slaughter, I presume I put mine in in addition?

[Berkshire Boy]

Yes they need tagging or slap marking with your herd number to go to the abattoir.

[mowhaugh]

I am so confused! Just been reading the guidance again, and it says that pigs must be identified before leaving holding of birth with either tag, tattoo, slapmark or temporary mark (so long as under 12 months and just moving between farms), and bearing in mind the discussion we are having it would seem that the temporary mark would be the best for weaners, but it doesn't say they shouldn't be tagged.

Why do there have to be so many different sets of rules, you would think they could have the same ones for different species of livestock, it would be much less confusing.  Now hoping Miss Piggy manages to lose her tag in the next few days so I can replace and cross reference in out register.

Thank you to all the knowledgeable people for your help!

Sorry Berkshire Boy, typed all that before you replied, I will put one of our tags in too, thank you.

[Berkshire Boy]

It is a bit baffling. Weaners that are being sold for breeding usually get tagged at the holding of birth and meat pigs tend to move on a temporary mark.

[Tudful Tamworths]

Just been reading the guidance again, and it says that pigs must be identified before leaving holding of birth with either tag, tattoo, slapmark or temporary mark (so long as under 12 months and just moving between farms)

Don't know where you got your information from, but it's wrong. They can move from the holding of birth on a temporary mark as long as they're less than a year old. But a second move (either holding to holding or holding to abattoir or to a show) requires a tag with YOUR herd mark.
There was no need for the breeder of your pigs to tag them (although some breeders do, as a management thing, e.g. to differentiate between litters when mixing them).
They WILL need a metal tag (or slap mark) with your own herd number when you send them for slaughter.
YOUR herd number will be on the document, so just point out to staff/the vet at the abattoir that the metal tag (or the slap mark - whichever you decide on) is the correct number.

[mowhaugh]

Just been reading the guidance again, and it says that pigs must be identified before leaving holding of birth with either tag, tattoo, slapmark or temporary mark (so long as under 12 months and just moving between farms)

Don't know where you got your information from, but it's wrong. They can move from the holding of birth on a temporary mark as long as they're less than a year old. But a second move (either holding to holding or holding to abattoir or to a show) requires a tag with YOUR herd mark.

Sorry, didn't word that right, thank you for clarifying.  I did understand it from the ScotEID guidance, but managed to type something different!

[hughesy]

A good point here is that when you buy weaners from the holding they were born on, try to ensure that the breeder doesn't put tags in. Move them on a temporary mark, eg a blob of marker paint or even a quick dash of purple spray or suchlike. I once had quite a heated debate with a breeder i bought some weaners off as he insisted he had to tag them and I insisted not. The fact is if they're under 12 months old and it's their first move they don't need tags.

[mowhaugh]

That is excellent advice which I will definitely be following when we eventually get to the point of selling weaners!

[shygirl]

I always tagged my weaners that I sold as they were birth-notified - and tattooed the registered ones. im sure when i slaughtered bought-in pedigree pigs I sent them with their original tags in, but noted it on the movement document. no-one said anything about it being wrong.
I always used plastic/rubber tags and as I got the heads back I can verify the tags were in perfect condition after the killing process.
a slapmarker would be a good investment though.