Spray markers

[neilo]

I have always used Marksman spray markers for sheep marking (lamb numbering, etc) and, whenever I have tried any others I have been disappointed and gone back.

I know a lot use the smelly Ritchey ones, but I have always found them overpriced and don't last very long.

I see that Shearwell have some well priced ones on their website. Has anyone used them?
http://www.shearwell.co.uk/p/460/aerosol-markers-for-sheep-and-lambs

Any other recommendations?

 

[beltextexel]

Which do find is best colour? I find blue will stay on right through the summer in some cases. I want the colour to do 6 weeks or so then go as I don't want to sell gimmer lambs with blue spray all over them.

 

[Poorbuthappy]

I used the shearwell ones last season after always using marksman. Will probably go back to marksman !
Not such a focused jet, and didn't find the cans lasted as long as the marksman.

 

[CharcoalWally]

Which do find is best colour? I find blue will stay on right through the summer in some cases. I want the colour to do 6 weeks or so then go as I don't want to sell gimmer lambs with blue spray all over them.

Red for me. Stands out well in the field , and fades in a decent time. I hated the blue spray. Yes , it lasted for ages and looked unsightly as it seemed to spread on the fleece so that the number wasn't as clear as it should have been.

Mind you , maybe I'm a niggly , uptight perfectionist.........

 

[Nithsdale]

Used to always use Ritchey but have moved to Country/Downland marker sprays - a good few £ cheaper and the cans are alittle bigger. A can will go alot farther, and are actually nicer to write with aswell...

only downside is they have the pea in them... so rattle constantly on the bike. Ritcheys were silent.

 

[tannertrading]

We sell a lot of these markers and they are very reasonably priced. We have regular customers that buy large quantities on a yearly basis. We offer discount for bulk buys:
http://www.tannertrading.co.uk/livestock-markers/ritchey-stock-marker-450ml

 

[Nithsdale]

Always use red for numbering lambs. Next best would be orange IMO.

Blue is a mess!

 

[neilo]

I've always used all sorts of colours. When we 'numbered' all the lambs we used to do the alphabet from A-Z, then change colour and do the same again. Now I only mark the pedigree lambs with the last 2 digits of their ear number, then change colour at 99. In the crossbreds, I only mark any that I'm particularly concerned about, like fosters, everything else is left well alone.

Red or orange seems to stand out best to me, and fades more quickly later on.

 

[neilo]

We sell a lot of these markers and they are very reasonably priced. We have regular customers that buy large quantities on a yearly basis. We offer discount for bulk buys:
http://www.tannertrading.co.uk/livestock-markers/ritchey-stock-marker-450ml

Thanks, I've never seen those. Never got on with the 'smelly' Super Sprayline ones though. Always seemed to block easily and fade very quickly, as well as being a daft price for a small can.

 

[Poorbuthappy]

I liked to mark different field groups with different colours - that way you know straight away if a lamb has got into the wrong field.

 

[tannertrading]

These are the 450ml ones. Always annoyed me when they started making the cans smaller!

 

[scholland]

Don't think any are as good as marksman. Use whatever customer has when scanning normally but always have supply of marksman with me. Ritchey ones wouldn't be nice to use all day, shearwell are very wide spray pattern and I don't like the stock marker as much especially for longish term marking. Think of your happy with a product you may be as well sticking with it.

 

[Girlfarmer]

Recommend APS own brand heavy duty markers. Used them for years now and no problems. Last well enough, as usual blue lasts ages. Good price too...£2.15 for 400mls. Get all our lambing supplies from them
http://www.apfarmsupplies.co.uk/

 

[neilo]

Don't think any are as good as marksman. Use whatever customer has when scanning normally but always have supply of marksman with me. Ritchey ones wouldn't be nice to use all day, shearwell are very wide spray pattern and I don't like the stock marker as much especially for longish term marking. Think of your happy with a product you may be as well sticking with it.

Agreed, but always looking to save a few pennies.

 

[Haydn Lloyd]

Shearwell 1s here worked well can number lambs really tidy with them and the mark stayed on lambs and ewes longer

 

[CharcoalWally]

Nobody else find they get "high" if using a certain , well known smelly brand....

Passes the day pleasantly if nothing else....

 

[Downton_shep]

I liked to mark different field groups with different colours - that way you know straight away if a lamb has got into the wrong field.

We do the same here. Doesn't help that all are stock netting is upside down for the pheasants!!!

 

[yellowbelly]

I mark singles with blue numbers,twins with red and triplets(if any left on) with green.That way if,say, a ewe marked red has a problem(eg mastitis) and has to be taken home,I know I have to find 2 lambs to go with her.

 

[shearerlad]

I mark lambs according to their mother's tupping mark. Then I can trace each lamb's parentage back.
Seems to work well for me.
@CharcoalWally it fair brightens up the day with a wiff of Ritchie marker

 

[Northeastfarmer]

Anyone tried the mole valley own brand ones?