[Jacob-list] ear tagging lambs

[Neal and Louise Grose]

In Holsteins, photo ID is considered legal identification. With cheap 
digital cameras, it is easy to make photos of lambs with their moms and set 
up an individual folder for each animal with their ear tag and whatever 
information you need to keep. If you need to sell the sheep, then the tag 
can be put in the now larger ears and copies of the photos, etc. can be 
passed along.

Neal Grose


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Robinson" <perfectspot at bellsouth.net>
To: "Lasell J. Bartlett" <lasell at lasell.org>
Cc: "Jacob-list" <Jacob-list at jacobsheep.com>
Sent: Wednesday, March 17, 2010 12:11 AM
Subject: Re: [Jacob-list] ear tagging lambs



> In twelve years, we have developed a system that works for us regarding 

> tags.  Let me preface by saying that I hate tagging sheep and would not do 

> it at all if given a choice.  We have few enough sheep that we don't need 

> to worry about identification from the standpoint of which lamb(s) belong 

> to which ewe.  I keep good photo records of ewes and their lambs as they 

> develop, just in case, but have never had to use the pictures yet for ID 

> purposes.  Because Jacobs are so individual in appearance, it helps with 

> ID; all white sheep would be a different story!

>

> We used to tag with the small lamb tags within a few days of birth, but 

> after a few years gave that up because of torn ears or lost tags.  When 

> lambs get to the point of sticking their heads through fences and approach 

> the age where it is no longer a roomy fit through the fence wire, many 

> ended up getting caught.  Even one torn ear on a lamb is too much for me!

>

> I also do not like tagging in the summer as we have had a couple become 

> infected.  We found that sometimes a particularly sensitive lamb might do 

> alot of "ear flicking" when the tag is new, and a few times the ear became 

> irritated (usually if the tag was hitting a horn)  and infected around the 

> tag. We spray the ear with fly spray, but seems that the summer bugs can 

> be an aggravation to a fresh ear tag, at least here.

>

> All sheep are now tagged whenever  they leave here with our scrapie tag.. 

> We use the round button style tags, and those could still get caught and 

> rip an ear, so if at all possible, I like to wait until the lambs are past 

> being able to get their head through the fence wire.   Any lambs still 

> here in the fall/winter months will hopefully be tagged during a deworm or 

> hoof trim session, but as fall-back, any without tags on shearing day get 

> tagged as part of our shearing process.

> It works for us but basically is a system of procrastination where we 

> don't do it until we have to!  :-)

>

> Cathy

> Perfect Spot Farm....where lambs are just beginning to arrive!

> http://www.perfectspot-farm.com/2010Lambs.html

>

>

> Lasell J. Bartlett wrote:

>> I'd like to hear what various folks do about ear tagging their lambs. 

>> Why, when, what, how, etc. Any after effects/unwelcome consequences 

>> noted, etc. Thanks in advance.

>>

>> Lasell Bartlett

>> Fine Fettle Farm

>

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