Hair Sheep and Ear Tags

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Wow, missed this incredible post, thankyou very much for it all Tara. A very nice understanding of the many, many different type of sheep, I only thought there was like one or two varieties, smiling that big smile. Glad I was able to see this all and have a better understanding of a few things about sheep. I agree, ear tags are the bane of the devil himself, in my opinion, and I can certainly see how animals that have tags could get maimed if the tag got stuck on something, too bad that Haley was hurt so badly. Those horns on Regis, oh man, never seen anything like that in my life . Guess it is not so unusual, just being so uninformed about the species, it sends my mind whirling!! Thank you for a very wonderful response to my simple questions. Have a most beautiful day, CynthiaM.

Those CSIP tags are now required on all sheep in Canada if they leave their place of birth. BUT now they must be radio frequency i.d. like the cattle tags. So now the pink metal tags are to be replaced/supplemented by yellow plastic ones. I just wish the government would choose one tag and stick with it - poor older sheep are hung with tags like a christmas tree and my shetlands don't have ear space to spare...

all so the government can track us down and kill all our sheep when situations arise...

Very Nice Jacob Sheep Tara Lee!
I love the lilac coloration.

People don't realize how easily sheep can tear their ears when their tags get caught on stuff. And it seems they always have their heads in places that can snag their tags. We did find the metal tags are an improvement to the plastic dangle tags.

We started using the same type of tags that the RFID ones are going to be like last year. So far we have only had one lamb rip out a tag in over 40 lambs now. She was a bottle baby and was into everything so makes sense she would rip her ear.
The pink metal tags we had nothing but trouble with, infected ears and lots of them getting torn out, so I am actually happy to make the switch (other than the new tags are so much more expensive).

Yes, the Shearwell yellow plastic RFID CSIP tags are far better than the pink metal ones. So far though I only put them on sheep I know will leave the property - Shetland lamps have ears like aspen leaves made of tissue paper until they are much older.

It does seem unfair to me when I don't seem to benefit that the tags get more and more expensive...

I agree we do not tag with the RFID CSIP tags until they are being sold, we do use the holding tags to know who is who though.
Same with calves we do not tag them until they are being sold either. Just too expensive for them to get ripped out and lost somewhere.

There are more and more programs coming out for record keeping that use the RFID tags in the program, but set up with the reader and programs are expensive, especially when we own a small flock, but for the larger flocks would be a time saver I think to not have to read each tag, just scan it and enter the information.

I do just the same thing - amazing how after a summer on pasture those lambs I think I will recognize anywhere are totally changed. There are always a few I really need a tag to recognize!

I keep looked at that tag reader and software but it is getting into big money. I think it is a bit of the cart before the horse making us tag and then make it so hard to read with the naked eye.

I meant of course LAMBS, not lamps!

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Well, what a most interesting read, cannot believe that the sheep can have so many deviation from the horns. Loved the picture of the one with the two horns curled almost around to the face. I love to read about things and learn stuff, not that much really stays in the brain, but it is fun to go there and your descriptions are awesome, along with the stories. Remind me to never have sheep, smiling. I don't think I would ever have the desire to look after such creatures, I take my hat off to those that do. I'll stick to fowl, much more simple and that is how I like things. I keep it simple, but not really stupp (KISS). Such a most wonderful wagon cart that Hubby made, some nice talent there. Thanks for taking the time for such an informative post. And..have a most wonderful day, CynthiaM.

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Great tip about the fecal samples - it is one of those little but helpful tips in any sort of animal care.

I love the endless surprise of Shetlands. All those colours and markings and even when you think you know the genetics and predict the lamb colours there is always a surprise somewhere...

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Good website. My vet is very happy to accept samples (in well marked sandwich bags, of course) for analysis too, in case there is any doubt.

I always liked the little pink metal clip eartags, my sheep never ripped them out. But I put mine very tight and close to the head on the top of the ear.

got 3 lambs with those new electronic sheep tags, of course the breeder put them on the bottom of the ear just "wherever" kinda like they looked away when putting them in (sorry, but I am particular with the tag placement). I think I had to rescue each of those 3 lambs at least 3 times already cause those dang things get caught on stuff and they stand there crying trying to get away without ripping their ears off...

Regulation or not, but my sheep that are already tagged with the pink metal tag will not get those yellow ones too, they are my breeders anyhow and will never leave the farm so I dont think it matters(also I would have to change all their registrations which is just a pain).

Those yellow RFID tags also look huge for my sheeps ears. Got a ewe lamb to register soon and at 3 weeks old her ears are just too small yet.

Beauty Jacobs by the way. Im always tempted to get one when I see them for sale but I need another breed of sheep like I need a hole in my head