Ear Tags

[hillbilly123]

I was looking at ear tags at premier 1, and there are lots to choose from. I assume some types are better than others, any advice on which type to get? We have a small breed of sheep (black welsh mountain).

Also, should I use the adult tags on lambs or retag later?

Thanks!

[DebnKirk]

Last year I bought the Premier Easytag II, size 1. I was very disappointed in them as they did not always seat into the female portion of the tag, necessitating cutting them out and starting over. I had at least four lambs get infected ears even though I used antiseptic on the tags and ears.

I did tag with tiny brass tags before the lambs left the jug, and getting these out and a bigger plastic tag in wasn't worth the effort. My best tag experience was with the free scrapie tags which are Allflex Sheep Minis. Those are the best tags and nicest applicator in my opinion. Easy to seat, quick to use, and a nice positive click when in place.

This year I"m going to buy blank Minis for the lambs' first tags, since I don't have to scrapie tag till they leave or become adults. The other benefit is I can write large numbers on them so hopefully will be able to id lambs without squinting!

Debbie in WV

[J.T.M.]

I use the scrapie tag and nothing else ...........

[PNP Katahdins]

We have 66 ewes due to lamb this spring, down from 109 last year (sold off most of the woolies and the older Katahdins due to the drought). We double-tag our ewe lambs at a few days old in case they lose one so we still know who they are. Ours all have registration papers. Scrapie tag plus Premier colored flock tag with year plus sequential number, changing colors every year. Wethers and the few ram labs only get a scrapie tag.

Premier has a new tag line called Q-flex that is supposed to snap together better in the ear so you know it's in solid. They take a different applicator that costs double the 2X/EasyTag tagger. We haven't tried them because of that since we like to have three applicators on hand.

We use EasyTag II size 5 colored flock tags and size 2 white scrapie tags. I get extra blank color tags each year to replace the pre-printed ones that are lost.

For small sheep like Black Welsh Mountain, you might want to try the 1.0 or 1.5 Q-flex tags. I always liked that style tag.

Regarding infected ears from tagging, that can happen with any style tag.

Peg

[bergere]

Back when I bred, I had heritage sheep. Lambs were tiny.

For the lambs I used a tiny brass temp tag for their ears. Once they were big enough and or before a sale I put the small round scrapie tags on.
Still have some of my scrapie tags in a box some where.... but I don't remember who made them. They were easy to put in, small, round, they locked as per the requirement in that state and had something in the plastic to keep any infection at bay.

Normal sized tags and the scrapie tags would just rip out of their ears, if I put them on before they were big enough.

[plowjockey]

Originally Posted by J.T.M.

I use the scrapie tag and nothing else ...........

+1 on the scrapie tags.

Indiana BOAH sent me 200 of them and a nice applicator tool, no charge (to me anyway).

I have to apply them anyway, or the sale barn, charges $2 per head, to apply their own before selling.

[houndlover]

I don't use tags on lambs, I use tyvek neck bands for ID, and I can write various info such as vaccination dates and such, they tear off in an emergency and don't get ripped out of fragile little ears. I don't tag until weaning, and now I just use my scrapies tags, since they'll all be leaving the farm and by law I'll need to tag them anyway. Since the tags are numbered, I just use them for ID now.

[wendle]

I like the scrapie tags they have now. The narrow tags that were used in the past seemed to get lost easily. I generally tag and paint brand before lambs leave the jugs.

[ONG2]

that's how we do it too. scrapie tags

[MDKatie]

I just use the free scrapie tags and really like them. I tag day old lambs (even newborns) with no problems.

[Callieslamb]

Originally Posted by houndlover

I don't use tags on lambs, I use tyvek neck bands for ID, and I can write various info such as vaccination dates and such, they tear off in an emergency and don't get ripped out of fragile little ears. I don't tag until weaning, and now I just use my scrapies tags, since they'll all be leaving the farm and by law I'll need to tag them anyway. Since the tags are numbered, I just use them for ID now.

How can you remember which lamb belongs to which ewe? By the time mine are a month old, they are all taking nips of milk from any momma that will stand still for them- that usually means all the ewes. I only have 5 ewes so I can usually keep them straight, but I have to tag early.

The metal scrapie tags the state sent me are easy enough, I just can't red them well. I'd like another tag just for me, but that neck band sounds good too. Where do you get them?