[Cobra]

Hi all,

Well Ive posted this under sheep but pigs etc same question. Been out of farming for a long time.

Everyone hopes it wont happen, but of course it does at lambing etc: My question is: How do you deal with dead animals now? Ie reporting it and disposal of carcases etc?

I'm guessing new regulations are also in place for this surcumstance, I would rather know in advance than run around like a headless chicken at the time, Ehm excuse the punn.  

Thanks in advance

[Daisys Mum]

It does not need to be reported just recorded and you have to have the body uplifted, it is not cheap either but not allowed to bury them nowadays.

[Cobra]

So uplift and record, not much change other than the paperwork and the cost then.  Many thanks

[jacob and Georgina]

not 100% sure but i thought that is the animal was a pet then you can bury it on your land. i.e if you had two sheeps that you were keeping only for your pleasure then they can be burried. 

[Cobra]

Ok bit odd replying to my own question but here goes.

I would have thought, that sheep regardless of status i.e. pet or stock would still have to be registered and tagged; if that my theory is correct, then a pet owner would have to follow the same course of action to conform to traceability etc.

I'll stick with that theory till someone comes along and burns me boat  Tiz a very good question Jacob and worthy of someone popping along with a more definite answer than my conjecture 

In the mean time, I'm gonna get me coat 

[Roxy]

I always used to bury my goats on my land - well, my OH did the digging, not that he was happy about it.  Although I have never done the same with any of my dead horses, I do know people who bury horses on their land.  So long as its away from a water course, and you are supposed to ask the council, then it can be done.

As to traceability nowadays what with ear tags etc.  I lost two pygmy goats to old age over the winter.  On each occasion, we took them to the slaughter house.  On neither occasion did I fill anything in, nor did they check the ear tag.  In fact, I got no paperwork, and they did not even ask my name.  So, doubtful if my goats could be traced back to me.  I think it cost £15 for the first one, but the second one, the man must have thought the pygmy rather small and charged me a tenner!!

[Fleecewife]

You're right Cobra, even if someone has only a single sheep they need to be registered as a holding with a holding number, flock mark and all the tags and paperwork that entails and official disposal of fallen stock.  Be sure to keep the receipt from the knacker when they have uplifted the carcass, and record it in the flock record book.  Even waste like unuseable fleece cannot be burned but has to be uplifted by the knacker (although it makes a good base for filling potholes under stones).  In theory even a dead chicken has to be uplifted.....Lambs can be collected by the sackful for the same cost as a whole adult sheep.  The sackful    How can breeders lose so many lambs that they can fill a sack in a day?  We did lose a lamb this year at birth but it would take us several years to fill a sack, thankfully. 
A good word here for the knackers - ours have always been caring and helpful and amazingly cheerful considering the horrible, smelly job they have to do.

[Cobra]

Thank you one and all, now I know which direction Im heading in. Better to be prepared than caught out later.

Thanks 

[plumseverywhere]

when we lost our goat to scour, the knackerman that came round was so lovely. he knew it was a pet and basically said " leave it all to me now love, you go in" so I agree with you FW, they are in a horrible job but seem to be the nicest of people 

I recorded it in my book but that was it.

[Jackie]

OOps! I buried a cade lamb.  :-[and I didnt take the tag off either.

Please visit me in prison guys.

[Daisys Mum]

Will bring you a cake with a file in it Jackie

[Jackie]

Thank you Dm. Can you make sure its a chocolate cake please? 

[Cobra]

A chocolate file isnt going to cut through the metal and will leave you licking the bars 

We wont  tell 

[dixie]

It is illegal to burn or bury livestock on your land! even a stillborn lamb should be disposed of professionaly, we would call the knacker man for a larger animal or if it fits in the car or trailer then we would take it to the knacker mine for disposal. Here its £100 to remove cattle, and I think around £30-£50 for shepp, pigs, goats. You can bury pets but not livestock pets (dogs, cats etc)

[shetlandpaul]

not always true. we are allowed to bury our fallen stock.