how viable is performance recording for small flocks?

[spark_28]

I'm always looking at ways to improve, as obviously most folk are but how viable is electronic recording to someone running 40 sheep? is there a cheaper way? would buying 40 of the big tags, numbered 1-40, if a sheep dies or is sold then id just buy that number again( is this possible) make more sense. I know where I could get an older weigh crate for a relatively cheap price. Lamb outside so would just number the lambs to their mother. anyone doing this? obviously a bit time consuming.

 

[AvonValleyFarmer]

Not sure about replacing the tags using the same number again, but nothing stopping you putting a blank tag in as well as the legal requirement tags. Just write on them.

 

[scottish-lleyn]

Big tags and a note book would be your cheapest option my stud ewes all have a roxan rubba flag managment tag in them and get a different colour every year.

 

[Woolless]

Big tags and a note book would be your cheapest option my stud ewes all have a roxan rubba flag managment tag in them and get a different colour every year.

At what point does the flag tag go in? At birth or later?

 

[JohnGalway]

Paper recording and transfer onto a spreadsheet on pc is the cheaper way.

Thinking of changing how I record as I find the 40 day weights inconvenient as I've put them to the hills by then. So I might instead try DOB, birth weight, weight at shearing, date of shearing, and just average out the figures after.

OR

I may go onto a raddle based system and coloured management tags. Change raddle every two weeks, pick replacements from the various groups as I see fit.

 

[scottish-lleyn]

At what point does the flag tag go in? At birth or later?

They go in when the replacement from the stud flock go to the tup and cut out if they dont make it through the selection process.

 

[Woolless]

They go in when the replacement from the stud flock go to the tup and cut out if they dont make it through the selection process.

I would like to put distance readable tags in the recorded ewes but not sure which to use and when to tag. Do you double tag yours early on as well?

 

[CornishLleyn]

We Signet record our Lleyns and Wiltshires, the only part we don't routinely do is the ultrasound muscle depth scanning.
Performance management in a small flock is easy - Excel spreadsheet, just work off the normal ear tags and your flock numbers. Tags go in at birth and are linked to the mother (we also side number the lambs but thats just for easy finding mum) and weights recorded at birth, 4 week, 8 week then later intervals. We use a flock recording system, the EID reader dumps everything via bluetooth to an iPad in the truck cab.
Hard culling out of barrens, foot problem candidates, and anything struck twice by flies.
We've managed to move the flock up over a relatively short time from a score of average 120 to average 180, with a couple of 200+ score superstars.

 

[scottish-lleyn]

I would like to put distance readable tags in the recorded ewes but not sure which to use and when to tag. Do you double tag yours early on as well?

Double tag at birth different sires different pin colour. Then big tags in the hoggs at tupping

 

[new/man]

are you anywhere near wise in the head

 

[Poorbuthappy]

I would like to put distance readable tags in the recorded ewes but not sure which to use and when to tag. Do you double tag yours early on as well?

By all accounts the 1 piece Zee tag is the one to use, but not easily sourced in this country.
Some larger flocks ( @Romney_Rob ) import them direct.
I was going to enquire some more at the sheep event next week.

 

[Woolless]

By all accounts the 1 piece Zee tag is the one to use, but not easily sourced in this country.
Some larger flocks ( @Romney_Rob ) import them direct.
I was going to enquire some more at the sheep event next week.

Let us know how you get on, please.

 

[Tim W]

I'm always looking at ways to improve, as obviously most folk are but how viable is electronic recording to someone running 40 sheep? is there a cheaper way? would buying 40 of the big tags, numbered 1-40, if a sheep dies or is sold then id just buy that number again( is this possible) make more sense. I know where I could get an older weigh crate for a relatively cheap price. Lamb outside so would just number the lambs to their mother. anyone doing this? obviously a bit time consuming.

40 ewes ----keep it simple
Used to fully record 650 ewes with no EID...just pen and paper

But you have to tag by law so make use of this and just use the individual tag # ---you can spray mark this on the ewe at /before lambing if needs be and then just keep a paper record which you can then transfer to EXCEL when you get home?