[Jacob-list] ear tagging lambs

[Royal Unzicker]

Cathy, occasionally I used to have an ear become infected after I tagged the 
lamb, usually if I accidentally hit a blood vessel.   I now dip both parts 
of the tag in alcohol before inserting it and have had problems since.
Royal



----- 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: Tuesday, March 16, 2010 11:11 PM
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

>

> _______________________________________________

> Jacob-list mailing list, sponsored by Swallow Lane Farm & Fiberworks

> Jacob-list at jacobsheep.com

> http://www.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/jacob-list