Guide to Animal Identification Methods

January 23, 2023 Agric4Profits

Animal identificationis a process done to identify and track specific animals. It is done for a variety of reasons including verification of ownership, biosecurity control, and tracking for research or agricultural purposes.

Proper identification of sheep and goats is essential for the maintenance of systematic farm records, feeding of required quantity of nutrients, better management practices and individual care of the animals. It is also an essential requirement for the registration of pure-bred animals and to make selections of breeding stock and sale animals.

A number of systems can be used for identification. Some, such as stencils, are temporary and are meant to be used until more permanent methods are instituted; others, such as tattooing, are permanent.

Methods of Identification

a.Tattoo

Animals can be tattooed on any part of their skin that can be seen but the ear is the may be used in leather production.

Marking ears avoids damaging the skin which may be used in leather production. The process involves making a series of pierced marks through the ear rubbing in Indian ink. The equipment required is:

Lettering;

Indian ink;

Methylated spirits;

Tattooing pliers;

Records.

Procedure

Place the letters of figures in the tattooing pliers and test on paper.

An assistant holds the animal in standing position.

Clean the ear of ax and dirt with methylated spirits.

Smear ink on the inside of the ear.

Line up pliers between ear blood vessels in middle of ear.

Squeeze pliers with quick firm movement to penetrate skin (assistant restraining the animal).

Remove pliers and rub more ink into holes using a stiff brush.

b. 1.	Eartagging Procedure Dip the tags and applicator in disinfectant.
2	Write the number on the tag before tagging.
3	Restrain the animal in standing position.
4	Clean ear with methylated spirits.
5	Clip tag into ear with applicator, avoiding ear veins.
6	The tag is best placed as near to the head as possible to reduce the chances of ripping.
c.	Ear Notching Many purebred breeders do not like to use ear notches because it detracts from the appearance of the animal. A simple system of notching that can be read and interpreted easily should be used. For example, notches in the top of the left ear (1), bottom of the left ear (10), end of the left ear (100), centre of the left ear (1000), top of the right ear (3), bottom of the right ear (30), end of the right ear (300), and centre of the right ear (3000).
	Procedure Hold the animal by the head and use a pair of ear notchers to remove a V-shaped piece of tissue from the edge of the ear to notch the correct numbers.
	3. Apply some antiseptic to the notches.