Tattoos vs. Ear Tags. What's the verdict?

[gibbsgirl]

Okay. Indiana BOAH told me I can EITHER tattoo or eartag. I've never done either.

I've heard that tattooing can be difficult to do successfully.

I've heard that eartags can cause infections and need replacing.

Currently our plan is to sell some goats to market and to sell some goats as registered animals for breeding or pets.

My thoughts are that tattooing would be better, makes a non-market goat LOOK like a non-market goat. And, if I tattooed even the market goats too I could avoid possibly having to replace their tags.

But, since I have no experience doing either, would you mind chiming in with your thoughts?

One of the things that I'm not sure about with tattooing is that I only see kits that do 4 or 5 digits. The ID letters/numbers I'd have to use to be Indiana BOAH compliant would be 8 digits. So, is there anything that tattoos all 8 digits in one shot?

Thanks.

 

[SheepGirl]

Tagging sheep takes all of ten seconds. You load the applicator with the tag, restrain the animal, put the ear between the two parts of the tag on the applicator where you want the tag at, press down, and ta-da! Ear tag is in. We have had very good retention rates with Allflex tags (never lost one nor have any got infected) and our Scrapie tags from Premier have poorer retention/infection rates (two tags lost and two infections). Personally it's what I prefer because it's easy.

I've never tattooed an animal, though.

 

[Queen Mum]

Tatoo'ing is just not that hard. BUT, it requires that you purchase the letters, the tatoo device and that you be patient and learn to do it. It is a bit messy.

Tagging is a piece of cake. Fast, easy, economical. I personally don't like the way it looks. BUT if you have a lot of animals it is the fastest way to go. So I think it may be ultimately a question of aesthetics and speed.

 

[ksalvagno]

I would find out what your area prefers. Find out from 4H advisors or talk to other breeders in your area.

 

[20kidsonhill]

we tag everything first and then animals that are registered are then tattooed, I have had a couple people comment about not wanting the tag in their ears, but by law, if they aren't tattooed and sold with their registration, then they have to be tagged with a scrappie tag. If I now the animal is going to be a pet or long term on a farm, I will put the scrappie tag in an envelope with the animal's information, and tell them that, if they ever sell the animal that needs to go with them.


We try to get the tag up fairly high on the ear, that way when we go to tattoo there is as much room as possbile, but we dont' have to tag with 8 numbers, that is a lot, I don't think there is a tattooer for 8 digits, you probably would have to do it twice.

 

[aggieterpkatie]

I have tattooed and tagged. Tagging is easier for the producer, but we have had animals in the past get their ear tags caught on fences and ripped out. Knock on wood, it hasn't happened lately though. I used to do personal tags and scrapie tags, but now I just use the free scrapie tags (for my sheep) sent to me by APHIS. They're big enough to read fairly easily, but small enough to not get caught on things. I've also used Allflex tags and liked them as well. The only tags I absolutely hate are those god-awful metal clamping tags, because the ears always grow and they always cut into the ears. Hate those!

Tattooing is also easy. Make sure you get the letters or numbers in properly, and practice it on cardboard first until you really get the hang of it. Tattoos are permanent and can never get lost, plus they're not visible like a tag (for pet goats) which is really nice.

For some reason I dont' like to ear tag my goats. I just see them differently than my sheep for some reason. If they were market goats I'd tag them, but for my dairy goats I just don't want tags in. I need to tattoo them, but I don't currently own a tattoo kit (need to get one soon though). When I sold my doe kids, I just sent the tags along with them. I don't sell that many goats though, or I would perhaps change my practices.

And when I tag my sheep I like to put the tag in the center of the two horizontal ribs and closer to the head than the end of the ear (sideways).