For many years (and in some places still) sheep were grazed on common land, which belonged to the whole community so different flocks mixed together.
Farmers used paint marks to differentiate their sheep from others. It was originally a combination of pigment and grease so the colour stayed on. Chemical sprays are now more commonly used. Each farmer would devise their own shape or combination of stripes.
Eventually local manuals of smit marks were published, showing which farmer used which marks. In addition to these ownership marks, you may see other ones.
After scanning, farmers may mark ewes to show how many lambs each one expects, or mark new born lambs so it’s easy to know which is their mother.
@linnypinny Thank you, Lin.
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@wakelys Thank you, Susan.
@joansmor Thank you, Joan.
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In answer to your question I copied the following
For many years (and in some places still) sheep were grazed on common land, which belonged to the whole community so different flocks mixed together.
Farmers used paint marks to differentiate their sheep from others. It was originally a combination of pigment and grease so the colour stayed on. Chemical sprays are now more commonly used. Each farmer would devise their own shape or combination of stripes.
Eventually local manuals of smit marks were published, showing which farmer used which marks. In addition to these ownership marks, you may see other ones.
After scanning, farmers may mark ewes to show how many lambs each one expects, or mark new born lambs so it’s easy to know which is their mother.
Hope this helps.
Margaret
@craftymeg Thank you, Margaret. I get it! So it works like a branding iron on cattle and horses here.
@k9photo Thank you, Kate.
@robz Thank you so much, Rob.
@phil_howcroft Thank you, Phil. I was actually standing in the back yard viewing the front yard. =)
@bobbic Thank you, Bobbi.
@pusspup Thank you, Wylie.
@sangwann Thank you, Dione.
@haskar Thank you so much, Haskar.