I always put a ewe and her newborns in a lambing jug for one or two days before I turn them out with the flock. On Day 2, I tag the lambs with the small brass tags sold by Premier (phone 800-282-6631; Tags=Item 615000 $10.50 for a box of 100 numbered consecutively; tag applicator=Item 615100 $10.00). The nerves in the ears are not well developed at this young age and the lambs hardly flinch when the tag is applied. The event is unstressful.
Although I haven't yet used Premier's tamper-proof X tag, that is my only remaining choice. I will delay tagging for as long as possible to allow the ears to grow. When I know the State Vet is coming to inspect my flock or when I need to transport a sheep across state lines, I will apply the X tag in the other ear. If I ship a lamb under 1 year old across state lines, my understanding is that I do not have to have the tag inserted and that I can put the tag in an envelope. I won't believe that until I see it actually happen, however. My local vet requires the tag in the ear before he will issue a health certificate, regardless of age.
Hope this helps.
Carol
At 07:33 AM 11/10/2003 -0500, you wrote:
In a message dated 11/9/2003 7:30:02 PM Central Standard Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes:
I would enjoy being able to identify my animals at birth with a humane and reliable system so that I could keep records on them...
Cecil Bearden
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