ANIMAL IDENTIFICATION

WHY?

Nearly all farm animals at some time in their lives need identification if for no
other reason than that they can be shown to belong to a particular farmer and
some form of payment allocated to him. The identification may be no more than
an auctioneer's ticket or a number on a crate of poultry.

Possession may have to be more formalised, as with cattle; by law, all animals
other than calves under 14 days going to slaughter have to be identifiable both as
to their herd of origin and with an individual number. These provisions come
under the Tuberculosis Order 1964 and the Tuberculosis (Scotland) Order 1964.
In addition, the ear numbers of each animal must be recorded on entry and
departure from the farm.

Besides ownership of animals, there are many other reasons for identifying them.
These will depend on individual farmer's needs. Some marks need only be
temporary, as when showing which animals have been treated for a particular
condition, although permanent marks may sometimes be required. The main
areas for permanent identification include:
1. evidence of ownership;
2. allowing records to be kept for production, disease culling or other
purposes so that the performance of individuals or groups can be
assessed, disease entry and activity controlled;
3. identifying animals within a group, as when on heat or ill,
4. maintenance of breeding records, particularly for pedigree stock.

Criteria for Ideal Identification

1. Permanent
2. Cheap
3. Easily readable from a distance
4. Tamper-proof
5. Easy to apply
6. Involve minimum discomfort, pain or mutilation to the animal

Welfare

All marking of animals must be done humanely by a competent operator. Further

information can be found in the Welfare of Livestock Codes for Farm Animals.

CATTLE IDENTIFICATION

It is well accepted that to run an efficient dairy cattle enterprise the animals must
be identifiable. Certainly, any planned health and productivity service demands
that good identification is one of the pre-requisites. Cattle are at the moment
identified by a unique earmark, usually a metal tag, for the purpose of state
disease control schemes. This system is, however, of no use for management
purposes as considerable restraint has to be applied to the animal to read the
tag. Cows need to be identified in the milking parlour, in yards and at pasture.
The most important reason for identification outside the parlour is for oestrus
detection, although there may be many other reasons. Any identification needs to
be visible from at least 25 yards and seen when the animal is standing to be
mounted.

Freeze branding has become widespread and is undoubtedly, if properly

performed, a useful and acceptable method of cow identification in Friesians.
However, this method is not so successful in red breeds. Large plastic ear tags on
which numbers can be painted with permanent ink are also in common use and
are reasonably successful.

Site of Freeze Brands

Most farmers apply freeze brands to the rear of the upper hind leg, just below the
pin bones. This is to make identification easy in herringbone parlours. However,
there are two criticisms of this site:

a. it frequently becomes contaminated with faeces and the number obliterated;

b. a mounting cow may obscure the number thus making accurate oestrus
detection more difficult.

A more preferable site would be high on the rib cage. This site remains much
cleaner and is visible when the cow is being mounted. It is used throughout Israel
and appears to be successful. to ensure visibility in a herringbone parlour, the
number needs to be applied to the rear of the cow.

Large Ear Tags

To compliment freeze branding and to ensure identification when standing in

front of the animal, large plastic ear tags are successful. Numbers approximately
5 to 6 centimetres high can be painted on the tags and are easily read. This
system can be used in beef cattle where long coats cause difficulty in reading
freeze brands and is also useful in red breeds.

A record should be kept of each cow's unique ear number and freeze brand or
plastic tag number. It is essential that there is no duplication of numbers within
the herd and that the numbers are clear enough to avoid ambiguity. Ideally,
animals should be branded as calves so that a lifetime identification is available.

The search for a simple, single, unique system of cow identification to suit all
conditions of cattle management is unlikely to be achieved. A combination of
metal ear tags, freeze branding and plastic tags provides a cheap, acceptable
method of identification of dairy cattle.

Cattle Welfare

The Cattle Welfare Code states that the identification of cattle should be
undertaken with care by competent operators to avoid unnecessary pain or
suffering at the time of marking or subsequently. Acceptable methods include ear
tagging, tattooing, notching, punching or freeze branding. The use of caustic

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brands or hot irons is not acceptable. Aerosols or paints for marking must be
non-toxic and neck bands and chains, tail and leg bands must be fitted with care.
(Code of Recommendations for the Welfare of Livestock 1983 - Cattle)

In beef cattle, besides the permanent tags required by legislation, the most
popular methods of marking are:
1. freeze brands - rump or flank. Flank probably most useful;
2. large plastic ear tags - the most popular.

Neck Bands or Chains, Leg Bands, Tail Bands, Etc.

These are all used in some herds and found to be successful. However, other
herds have used them and stopped because of the problem of loss. Neck bands
are quite helpful in identifying animals from a distance when bulling, etc. Tail
and leg bands are mainly of use when identifying cattle in the dairy parlour, etc.

Electronic Methods

These are being used in some dairy herds for out of parlour and in parlour. They
are often expensive. More sophisticated versions allow the automatic recording of
milk production, etc. Many of the systems, however, do not allow purely visual
identification of the animals which may be important when trying to know which
members of a group of animals selected for veterinary examination were not seen
bulling, etc.

Many national agencies are looking at the possibilities of electronic recording.

There is current interest in methods of marking meat animals (particularly cattle)
so that they can be identified from birth through to the post-slaughter stage.
Various electronic means have been proposed for this, but all would work on a
similar principle. Some type of transponder would be implanted in the animal
carrying the serial number of that animal. This could be read by electronic means
using a suitable detection device.

Transponders could be designed as small as 10 x 2 mm. Whilst such a system

would have considerable advantages, the major obstacle would be one of cost,
particularly that of the detection equipment. At present, such discussions have
not progressed beyond the theoretical stage in this country and there do not
appear to be any "official" plans. There is some interest in this subject in the USA
where the National Electronic Identification system was started in 1973. The aim
is to improve disease control but, at present, the system is still experimental.

PIG IDENTIFICATION

There are a number of methods available.

1. Ear Tattooing

This is probably the most permanent method and cheap to use. However, it is
often difficult to read in live animals and, with age, the dye often fades so the
problem is compounded.

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2. Ear Tags

These usually tend to be plastic rather than metal. The plastic tags need to vary
according to the size of the animal. Too large tabs tend to be chewed by other pigs
and they are lost if animals are frequently moved or get caught in the wire mesh
of pens excessive scratching can also result in high tag loss, as in sows with
mange.

3. Ear Notching

This requires special pliers and may present welfare problems for some owners.
The system is cheap, simple, and identification can take place from a distance
although it does require experience to read the numbers. Problems occur
following fighting, ear biting, or trauma and disfiguration following ear infections,
etc.

4. Slap Marking

This is mainly used as an identification for animals going for slaughter and is
usually placed on the shoulder.

5. Neck Chains and Body Brands

These can both result in injury to the animal and can be lost. They are little used
today.

6. Body Figuring

This involves producing a large tattoo on the side of the rib cage or rump, usually
in pedigree animals. The method is time-consuming and involves the use of
vibrating injection needles.

7. Electronic Methods

At present little used except for performance projects involving individual feeding,
etc.

8. Freeze Branding

This is legible and can be used on coloured pigs.

Choice of System

There is no ideal system. Choice depends on what information is required and

from what age of pigs.
· Fattening Pigs - tattoos probably best
· Sows - ear notching or large tags if can be kept in place

Pig Welfare

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The Pig Welfare Code states that the ear may be tattooed, tagged, notched or
punched and the body may be tattooed for permanent identification. Slap
marking may be used where identification is required immediately prior to
transporting pigs to slaughter. Identification should be performed by competent
operators exercising care to avoid unnecessary pain or suffering to the pigs at the
time of marking or subsequently. (Code of Recommendations for the Welfare of
Livestock 1983 - Pigs).

SHEEP IDENTIFICATION

Although not always recognised by owners, most flocks have some form of
identification if only for selling purposes. Recently, suggestions have been made
that flock identification may be necessary to speed sheep scab eradication.
Temporary identification is used to ensure that lambs are matched with dams at
lambing.

Most of the methods used do not allow easy identification from a distance.

1. Tattooing

This is often used in pedigree flocks but requires the animal to be restrained
before marking.

2. Ear Notching

This requires special pliers and may present welfare problems for some owners.
The system is cheap, simple, and identification can take place from a distance
although it does require experience to read the numbers. Problems occur
following trauma or disfiguration after ear infections.

3. Ear Tags

These are probably the best type of identification at present available. Small metal
tags should be placed close to the base of the ear or tags are often lost. Plastic
tags can be used and have been useful in recording schemes undertaken by MLC
and other bodies but again can be easily lost.

How Much Recording Is Necessary?

Individual marking - this is often necessary if any form of pedigree or individual

recording is to be undertaken. This, however, does involve a minority of flocks.
Flock marking - this allows the farmer to identify his own animals and in many
flocks this is all that is necessary. The system can easily be refined by using a
different colour each year, which also allows easy ageing of animals. Other
modifications can include the marking of the left ear of single lambs, for example,
and the right ear of twins, triplets, etc.

Sheep Welfare

The Sheep Welfare Code says that the ear may be tattooed, tagged, notched or
punched for permanent identification. The procedure should be performed by a

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skilled stockman to avoid unnecessary pain or distress to the sheep. Branding of
horned sheep is allowed. (Code of Recommendations for the Welfare of Livestock
1977 - Sheep).

PIG IDENTIFICATION AND RECORDING IDENTIFICATION

Recording without proper identification is unproductive.

This article is reprinted from the Pig Veterinary Society's Proceedings, Volume 6,
page 14.

Accurate identification of animals, whether individually or in groups is becoming

increasingly important for profitable pig production. Herd management and
recording schemes become worthless if they are not supported by an efficient
method of individual identification particularly in the sow.

As methods are developed to cope with the analysis of results, be it fertility,

production or growth factors, it becomes essential to identify animals by a simple
and precise method. Such identification is theoretically possible but can be very
difficult to attain in practice.

Why identify?

The major objective in the identification of pigs is to enable the animal or group to
be readily located so that a specific aspect of performance can be measured. For
example, animal recognition is required for performance assessment, herd
security, disease surveillance and quality control. Identification is also
important for pedigree breeding and recognition of certain lines within a herd.

The following criteria are considered necessary for a good identification system.
The markings must be permanent and readily legible at a distance and in dirty
conditions. Application should be simple, replacement easy and there should be
sufficient numbers and codes. The method should inflict minimum pain and
mutilation, be cheap, easily applied, and tamperproof.

The fact that the above ideals are seldom if ever achieved in one system, together
with the varying needs of different producers, commercial farms, research
establishments or pedigree breeders, has resulted in a wide range of methods
being used.

Systems available

The system to be adopted is dependent on the results required. For example,

different measurements are necessary in breeding and fattening herds.

Fattening pigs require a system that can be read at a specific point in time,
usually at slaughter. Some farmers now use a system whereby each piglet is
identified by litter number at birth so that carcass measurements at slaughter
can be related to sire and dam. The days to slaughter can then be calculated and
the sow is given an index based on her progeny's performance. The sow's
reproductive performance can also be linked into this index.

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With the breeding animal, it is necessary to have a system that an be easily read
without restraint yet be permanent and easily replaced if lost. In reality it is
better to have a dual system for sows, and the most common is ear tags backed
up by ear tattoos.

1. Ear Tattooing

This is probably the most permanent system available, but it has the
disadvantage that it is difficult to read in the live animal. Tattoos are best applied
in the first three weeks of life using pliers that hold interchangeable dies with
oblong needles. The dies should be kept clean and after a thick layer of paste is
spread over the ear they are applied so that the needles pierce the ear.

The paste is then rubbed in with a stirr-bristled brush. When tattooing, care
should be taken to avoid ear veins as these can obscure needle marks. The tattoo
should not be placed too deeply into the base of the ear as the skin is folded and
thick causing difficulty in reading. The tattoo should be below the line of the ear
cartilage with the last digit at least 1 inch from the tip of the ear. The optimum
number of digits per ear is four, although some breed societies require an
extensive number of digits.

FIGURE 1. POSITION OF TATTOO SITE (ADAS BOOKLET)

Tattooing is comparatively cheap and tamperproof, but it is slow to apply and

fades with age. It is however, considered the best method for identification at
slaughter.

Table 1 shows the results of slaughterhouse examinations of pigs from five

different farms under normal working conditions. A further detailed reading (B1)
was made of farm B pigs. All pigs were tattooed under four weeks of age with four
digits in one ear and the tattoo paste was rubbed well in. In Herd B, 8.9% tattoos
were unreadable due to numbers placed too near the base of the ear, damage to
the ear after killing, haematoma, fight wounds and tattoos across ear veins.

The tattoo paste may cause coloured flecks in the carcass lymph nodes
(particularly the parotid) which may give rise to concern at meat inspection.

Tattooing is a convenient back-up system for sow identification, but it is not

recommended for normal use due to reading difficulties. The tattoo fades with age
but green paste (Ketchum Manufacturing Co.) appears to give the best results.

TABLE 1 TATTOOS READABLE AT SLAUGHTER

No. PIGS No. IDENTIFIED IDENTIFIED %

FARM A 313 206 85
FARM B 328 274 83.5
FARM B1 246 224 91.1
FARM C 344 300 87.2
FARM D 329 214 65
FARM E 131 113 89.3
TOTAL 1691 1391 82.3

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Ear Tags

Commercially these are the most common method of identification. Tags can be
either metal or plastic. Metal tags are now little used due to their predispositions
to abscessation and difficulty in reading. They also tend to become rusty,
corroded or encrusted with dirt.

Plastic tags are very variable and may be flexible or stiff, embossed or plain. The
colour and the style of lettering greatly influence their clarity (Table 2). Red or
blue tags with black printing have proved difficult to read. Le Courier's table
suggests that a yellow tag with black printing is the ideal and this is confirmed in
practice. Tags are also easier to read if the numbers are embossed into the tag,
but the rougher surface aids the adhesion of dirt.

TABLE 2 TABLE OF THE LEGIBILITY OF COLOUR (LE COURIER) OF PLASTIC

EAR TAGS. Combination (Maximum Contrasts)

ORDER OF LEGIBILITY DECORATION BACKGROUND

1 Black Yellow
2 Green White
3 Red White
4 Blue White
5 White Blue
6 Black White
7 Yellow Black
8 White Red
9 White Green
10 White Black
11 Red Yellow
12 Green Red
13 Red Green
14 Black Blue

Large flexible tags (Fearing, Ritchie, Shire Star tags) are considered suitable for
sows. If the tag is placed too near the edge of the ear a greater proportion will be
lost. If the tag is too large it tends to be trapped or chewed by other sows, as
colours are attractive. When sows are stalled with wire mesh pen divisions the tag
loss is increased especially if sows are constantly rubbing due to mange.
Although most modern tags are reliable there is inevitably some loss and it is
worthwhile tagging both ears if there is no secondary numbering system. A
supply of blank tags should be retained to replace those lost. Tags for fattening
pigs are usually smaller.

In one trial (Table 3) fattening pigs were tagged with small inflexible tags (Dalton
Hini Rotatags) in both ears in the first week of life. They were slaughtered at an
average weight of 165 kg and up to 86.6% of tags were lost. Neither the colour of
tag (red or blue) nor sex of pig had any significant effect on tag loss. Losses were
increased by the number of movements, presence of weldmesh in the pens, and
larger groups where there was an unstable social order and thus constant
righting. Mange was also considered important.

TABLE 3. TAG LOSS IN FATTENING PIGS FROM BIRTH TO SLAUGHTER

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FARM No. PIGS % TAG LOSS % TAG LOSS % TAG LOSS
0-10 Weeks 10 week-sale 0-sale
A 1222 31.0 55.6 86.6
B 599 6.2 54.1 60.3
C 600 14.0 36.3 50.3
D 749 16.3 64.1 80.4
E* 140 - 12.1 -
* Farm E pigs on trial from 45 kg-85 kg.

Ear Notching

Specially designed pliers of varying shapes are used to make individual notches
or punches in the ears. A high degree of skill is required in positioning the
notches so that there is no discrepancy in the interpretation. Although a cheap
and simple system it is not widely used in the UK due to difficulty in
interpretation. An example is given in Figure 2. Each edge of the ear can be
notched at three positions. A notch near the tip is a 3, in the middle a 9 or near
the base of the ear a 1. Thousands are placed on the top right, hundreds on the
top left, tens on the bottom left and units on the bottom right. Using a
combination of these any numbers up to 9999 can be notched.

This system is convenient to use for slaughter pigs or sows, especially if under
dirty conditions. The number can be read without restraint and is permanent but
can be confused with fight marks. This method is used by several breed societies
for pedigree herd books. However, if the number of notchings is excessive it is
time consuming and open to criticism on humanitarian grounds.

FIGURE 2

Slap Marking

This is usually used for identification of slaughter animals and involves tattooing
the pig usually over the shoulder. The tattoo dies are held in a block attached to a
handle. Paste is brushed onto the block which is then slapped on the pig.

Body Brands and Neck Chains

These are seldom used now. There is the constant danger that the sow will
become entrapped in the band or chain. They may cause skin damage and
irritation.

Body Figuring

This system is used only for breeding animals. A large tattoo is inscribed on the
rib cage or rump by an electrically controlled head of vibrating injection needles.
The process is time consuming and questionable on humanitarian grounds. If
done too deeply damage to the carcass may result. Tattoo ink may be absorbed
via the lymphatics and cause staining in the lymph nodes.

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The numbers can be easily read if the animal is clean but the colour intensity
fades with age. Dark-skinned animals cannot be identified. This method is
nevertheless, very useful for sows in stalls where there are weldmesh divisions.

Electronic Identification

This method is only emerging but has been used in dairy cattle for years. Its main
drawback is expense. A small individually coded transponder is implanted
subcutaneously. A transmitter beams microwaves to the transponder and the
changes in reflection waves are picked up, interpreted and displayed by an
interrogator.

These have been used for pigs on performance test, where each pig can open his
own feed hopper as he approaches and the amount of feed used can be recorded.

If the cost Or this system becomes competitive it could become the ideal system.
It would be easily read and incorporated into a recording system, accurate,
permanent, tamperproof and easily applied. The only disadvantage would be that
a transmitter and interrogator would have to be carried around constantly.
Abscesses or rejection of the implant could present problems.

Markers and Sprays

Wax-based marking sticks or dye sprays only last for about a week. The greater
the stocking density the shorter the life expectancy of the mark. This becomes
important if weighing pigs takes place every second week. A more lasting
alternative is to mark using a strong crystal violet solution (100g of pure crystal
violet per 5 litres water). This will last for 2-3 weeks. The best place to put the
mark is from the base of the ears to the mid point between the scapula.

Other Methods

Blood typing has been developed for identification of cattle and horse pedigrees.
The blood type of a horse or cow is characteristic for each animal and this method
could be exploited for tracing the pedigrees of pigs. The method would be slow to
administer and expensive.

Lip tattoos are used extensively in horses in some countries and could potentially
be used in pigs as the snout is always clean. It would be difficult to do initially
and would probably fade quickly with age. The number of digits possible would be
limited.

Freeze branding could be readily used on coloured breeds. It is relatively quick

and painless to apply. It is permanent and easily legible. Fire branding is not
really suitable for pigs as it is inhumane and difficult to see on non-coloured
breeds.

Conclusions

There is no ideal system yet for pig identification. Electronic identification could
become an ideal method in the sow.

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In fattening pigs tattooing appears the method of choice especially if slaughter-
house information is required. Ear notching if skilfully applied can be of value,
but often there is confusion in reading numbers. Ear tags have given poor results
due to a high degree of tag loss and damage.

In sows both primary and back-up systems are necessary. Ear tagging is the
most useful. It is better for both ears to be tagged and losses replaced
immediately. As an alternative system, ear tattooing is often difficult to read. Ear
notching is good provided it is applied correctly and the system is clearly
understood. Body tattooing is under-used and provides a more permanent option
than ear tags, but it is questionable on humane grounds and is slow to apply.

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