Marking: Keep Track of Every Single Animal in Your Sheep Flock

Marking Sheep: Clear Records, Less Guesswork

You cannot manage what you cannot tell apart. Reliable marking lets you see at a glance which ewe has been treated, which is in lamb and which group an animal belongs to. Permanent identification with ear tags underpins your flock records, while colour marks handle all the short-term jobs. Both need to stay readable in rain, mud and wool, and neither should bother the animal.

Ear Tags and Applicators

Ear tags are the backbone of flock identification. They stay with the animal for life, so tagging cleanly matters: use a matching applicator plier, place the tag in the right part of the ear away from the ridges of cartilage, and keep the pin and jaws disinfected. Tag in dry weather if you can, and check the ears again a few days later. Have spares ready, because tags do get pulled out on fences and feeders. Note the number in your records the moment you tag, not afterwards from memory. Which tags you must use, and when, is set by the rules where you farm.

Crayons, Sprays and Temporary Marks

For everything short-term, colour is quicker. Marking crayons go straight onto the fleece and are ideal for flagging animals for the next handling, while marking sprays cover larger areas and hold up better outdoors. Use products made for sheep so the wool stays usable and the skin is not irritated. Mark on a spot you can see from behind as the flock walks away. Agree one simple colour code on the farm, write it where everyone can see it, and re-mark after shearing or heavy rain. A crayon in the pocket of your daily jacket means a mark never gets postponed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do my sheep have to be ear tagged?
In most places identification is a legal requirement, but the details differ by country and region. Ask your local authority or your vet which tags apply to your flock and how to record them.

Crayon or spray for marking sheep?
Use a crayon for a quick mark on a single animal in the pen, and a spray when you need bigger, longer-lasting marks on animals that are out at grass for weeks at a time.

Will marking paint spoil the wool?
Products made for sheep are designed to come out again in processing. Stick to those, keep the marks small where you can, and avoid any paint that is intended for other purposes.