Identification of livestock

IDENTIFICATION OF SHEEP AND GOATS

Purpose

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.

The common identification methods used in sheep are stenciling, ear tags, ear notching and tattooing, whereas the common identification methods used in goats are ear tags, ear notching, tattooing, branding and neck chains.

A. Stenciling

This temporary method of identification is used on young lambs/kids shortly after birth to prevent their separation from their dams and the resultant malnourishment. The lambs and their dam can be given the same number with stencil of different sizes. Wool-branding paint should be used because it will wash out of the wool when it is scoured or washed in processing.

1. Pour a small amount of wool-branding paint onto a cloth/burlap so as to saturate it.
2. Press the stencil onto the cloth until the figure is covered with paint.
3. Place the stencil on the back of the lamb or ewe so that it can be read from front to rear while standing on the left side or from the left to right while standing at the sheep's rear.
4. Allow the paint to dry before moving or handling the animal.
5. Clean the equipment after use.

B. Ear Tags

Ear tags are usually made of metal or plastic with the numbers either stamped or painted on them. They can be purchased pre-numbered from livestock supply firms. Metal tags are either self-piercing or require a hole to be punched in the ear. The use of plastic ear tags usually requires that a hole be punched in the ear, either with an ear punch or an applicator that inserts the tag at the same time.

1. Insert the self-piercing ear tag into the pliers/applicator.

2. Find the area on the inside of the ear that has the widest space between the ribs of cartilage. There will be one rib below the area and two above it. Allow space for the ears of young lambs to grow. Leave at least half inch between the edge of the ear and the ear tag.

3. Place the ear tag in the ear with the number facing forward. Clamp it tightly so that the tag is sealed to prevent its loss from the ear.

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).

1. Hold the sheep 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.
2. Apply some antiseptic to the notches.

D. Tattooing

This is a permanent method of identifying sheep. It requires a tattooing set, which consists of a pair of pliers and a set of numbers or letters made in the form of dies with sharp, pointed, needle-like projections which pierce the skin. A tattoo ink or paste is forced into the puncture and remains visible after the wound heals. Tattoos can be seen best on sheep that have white faces and ears. Those with black pigment in the ears can be tattooed inside the rear flank. Earless goats may be tattooed on the tail web. Do not tattoo young lambs/kids less than six months of age as the space is limited and the numbers may become illegible as the ear grows.

1. Place the number dies in the tattooing pliers in the proper order. Press the pliers into a piece of cardboard to verify the number.
2. Locate the widest spot in the ear above the rib nearest the bottom.
3. Clean the front and back of the area with alcohol.
4. Press the dies into the skin of the ear.
5. Rub tattoo ink into the punctures thouroughly.
6. Clean the equipment after use.

E. Neck Chains

It consists of a chain or cord around the neck with an identification tag attached to it. The tags can be made of metal, nylon or plastic. The chain should fit snugly with little or no free play when it is resting against the neck-chest junction. Young, growing kids must be checked at weekly intervals to see if the chains need loosening.

F. Branding

Branding is not yet a widely accepted method of identifying goats. The same techniques that are used on cattle and horses can be used just as effectively on goats. Freeze branding should be especially appealing because it is painless, easy to apply, and provides a permanent, highly-visible within-herd recognition system.

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