IDENTIFICATION OF FARM ANIMALS

IDENTIFICATION OF FARM ANIMALS

Animal identification has become a necessity particularly with large herds and flocks and with purebred stock. Certain countries are in the process of initiating national programmes such as Verified Identification Programme (VIP), to identify cows.

Methods of identification can be divided into two categories, permanent and temporary. Permanent identification includes ear and udder tattoos, photographs, brands (acid, caustic, hot-iron and freeze brands), and electronic implants. Non-permanent types of identification include neck straps, ear tags, anklet straps, neck chains with tags and marking paint. None of these is ideal under all conditions.

Placing a nylon cord with a numbered plastic tag around the neck of each calf, lamb, etc., when it leaves its dam, will provide convenient temporary identification.

Methods developed for permanent identification during recent years are freeze branding and electronic implants. With freeze branding, the application of extreme cold selectively destroys the melanocytes or pigment producing cells in the skin, resulting in the growth of white hair in the branded area. Electronic implants have future promise for large herds. A small digital circuit called a transponder would contain the animals’ unique identification. It would be implanted subcutaneously or hung on a neck chain. The transponder is passive, reacting only when an interrogator energizes it. The interrogator then senses the animals’ ID. Such devices could be a part of automatic milking, feeding and data recording systems.

Tattooing and hot-iron branding, however, still remain the most commonly used methods for permanent marking of animals in this part of the world. Of course, in several western countries branding by hot-iron is now considered a cruelty, and is thus being abandoned and replaced by more appropriate methods.

TATTOOING

To be effective throughout an animals’ life, the tattooing must be properly carried out. This method of marking consists of piercing the skin with an instrument equipped with needle points which form letters or numbers. Black tattooed letters are suitable in ears of all colours except black ones, in which green in probably superior.

Procedure

The inside of the ear should be first freed of grease and debris, either by rubbing with a damp cloth or with a little methylated spirit. A portion of inside of the ear which is free from hair and is between the ear veins is chosen. A little paste is rubbed on the surface of the site and paste is also smeared on the points of figures and/or letters in the tattooing instrument. The animal’s head is firmly held. The operator when closing the jaws of the instrument must ensure that the points have penetrated properly. After the instrument is opened asd removed, a small amount of paste (or indelible ink) is rubbed well in with a piece of rag or the ball of the thumb. There may be a small amount of oozing of blood from the skin but it will not be serious and may be disregarded.

To read the number in future years, a small amount of spirit rubbed over the site will clean the surface from obscuring dirt or wax.

Lip tattoo

This consists of tattoo branding with forgery-proof dyes under the upper lip of the horse with a prefix letter to denote the age of the horse.

HOT-IRON BRANDING

It should be done at an early age of the animal, preferably before the calf is weaned. The best place for branding is the lower part of the thigh which comes at the marginal end of the hide and is thus of lesser value.

Branding irons are especially designed to carry at their distal ends the respective letters/numbers with which the animal is intended to be marked. These irons are heated to a temperature that will burn sufficiently deep to make the scab peel but which will not leave deep scar tissue. The proper temperature of the hot-iron is indicated by a yellowish colour. Branding is accomplished by placing the heated iron firmly against the body area which it is desired to mark and by not allowing it to slip, for the few seconds when the hide is burned.

The branding iron should be kept free from dirt and adhering hair at all times. When electricity is available, the electric iron may be used; it keeps an even temperature and if properly used, makes a clear uniform brand.

Figure 31. Identification by use of a freeze brand. Note that hairs are white where tissue was frozen.

Figure 32.   A brand applied with an electric branding iron.

Figure 33.   (Right) identification by neck straps and numbers. (Left) Ear tagging.

EXERCISES

1.                  What is the difference between branding and marking of animals?

2.                  Give a comprehensive list of methods that may be used for temporary identification of animals.

3.                  Give a comprehensive list of methods that may be used for permanent identification of animals.

4.                  What places on the body are considered appropriate for tattooing various farm animals?

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