Author Topic: Ear tags for small breeds (Read 4250 times)

milliebecks · « **on:** November 05, 2015, 01:46:37 pm »

What type of ear tags are recommended for small breeds?
I have Shetlands and the 'normal' plastic loop type tags seem to be too big and too heavy for their ears, particularly when they're tagged as lambs. Most of mine have lost at least one tag, resulting in nasty tears to their ears.
I have wondered about using the button type tags, but I think these would still catch on rylock fencing and pull out.

Me · « **Reply #1 on:** November 05, 2015, 01:52:47 pm »

Placement seems important, I use Shearwell on the front of the ear as far in as sensible (they pull out as the animal pulls backwards). They make all lambs ears flop even big breeds

Also, when you put your next fence up don't use pig wire. Its a nightmare for sheep. Use 22 gaps instead

Dusty · « **Reply #2 on:** November 05, 2015, 02:12:40 pm »

I've experimented with different tags from different manufacturers to try to find tags (dreadful things!) which will do as little damage as possible. From my experience the best results have been with Roxan tags. We too have Shetlands. I use Easy Tags on them at a few days old - these are very small (I think intended for poultry). These tags only have one number on them and allow me to keep tabs on who's who. I then tag them properly at about 6 months using Roxan's standard sheep tag which seem to be smaller than those produced by most other manufacturers. Retention is excellent and the service from the company is first class.
(Roxan, if you're reading this, I'll expect freebies next year!)

Buffy the eggs layer · « **Reply #3 on:** November 05, 2015, 03:02:17 pm »

I am with Dusty,

I use Roxan e-ID tags.

Anke · « **Reply #4 on:** November 05, 2015, 03:13:18 pm »

Shearwells SETeid tags, and the flat bit of the tag on the outside of the ear. I only ever have had (to date) a single tag being ripped out (this summer by a Gotland x Shetland hogg), and I am now up to the 200s...

I don't tag lambs until 6 months old, so am about to do them this w/end.

Different story with the goats...

Me · « **Reply #5 on:** November 05, 2015, 03:43:06 pm »

Yes I use Shearwell, sadly do have a higher proportion ripped out than you do Anke (well, more pop out, the tag often gives in before the ear - which is a plus point IMO, I have found them before and put them back in! If shut you can boil them and pull hard to pop them open). Daltons were the pits - never again - and if you are reading this you should have responded to my letter of complaint - I will expect hate mail

clydesdaleclopper · « **Reply #6 on:** November 05, 2015, 05:32:12 pm »

I use the Roxan ones but have had quite a few where the tag has rotated in the ear so it is not the pin end sitting in the ear and yesterday had a lamb with one pulled out and a shredded ear

Fleecewife · « **Reply #7 on:** November 05, 2015, 06:07:02 pm »

Allflex Bubblegum tags. They are soft and flexible, although they look quite big on first sight. Very good retention.

I put in tiny metal poultry wing tags for the lambs, then change to the permanent tag at 4 months when the lambs go to their new owners.

Bramblecot · « **Reply #8 on:** November 15, 2015, 05:07:31 pm »

Shearwell set tags.

Great company to deal with. I know it is recommended to put them in the front but I put them in the back of the ear so they hang like earrings and the ears do not flop.

not too many losses.