Animal identification and record keeping
Record keeping is an important aspect of sheep production. Performance
record keeping helps to identify which lambs should be kept as
replacements, which ewes should be kept or culled, and which rams
sire the best lambs. The National Scrapie Eradication Programs requires producers to keep records on animal disposition. It is increasingly important to keep records pertaining to the use of animal health products (antibiotics, anthelmintics, etc.).
Animal Identification
Record keeping begins with individual animal identification. The
ideal sheep identification is permanent, resistant to loss or
tearing, easy to read from a distance, easy to apply, and gives
all of the information about the animal from a glance. Unfortunately, it
doesnt exist. Choice of identification will depend upon
personal preference, needs, cost, and retention rate in
the animal.
Ear tags
There are many methods to identify sheep and lambs, with ear
tags being the most common. Ear tags come in many different
sizes, designs, and brands. There are brass, aluminum, and plastic
tags; button tags, rotary tags, swivel tags, and looping tags;
DNA tags, and RFID (electronic tags).
Brass tags are ideal for tagging small or newborn lambs. They
are light, so they will not pull down on the ear. However, the
lamb must be caught in order to read its tag. Metal tags are
the cheapest and easiest to apply, but they are more likely to
be ripped out and cause a reaction in the ear.
Swivel and looping tags work well for lambs and are easier to
read than brass tags. Many producers like button tags. Temple tags have an open end to prevent
ripping of the ear. However, you must punch a hole in the ear
before inserting the tag. Allflex® and Duflex tags
are two-piece, plastic tags that come in many different sizes,
shapes, and colors. They are easier to read than other tag types.
Retention is fairly good, but declines with larger tag sizes.
Most companies make smaller tags for sheep and lambs.
Scrapie identification
The U.S. Department of Agriculture requires almost all sheep and lambs to have premise identification ear tags
before leaving their farm of origin (premise).
The ear tags carry the owner's premise identification number
on one side and a sequential number on the other side, which
can be used for individual record-keeping. In addition to applying
tags, producers are required to keep records for five years
after the animals have been sold.
To get a premise identification number and order free metal ear tags,
producers should call toll-free 1-866-873-2824. Free plastic ear tags are no longer available, except to producer requesting tags for the fist time. Producers participating
in the Voluntary Scrapie Flock certification program are required
to identify all sheep over 1 year of age with tamper-proof ear
tags, tattoos, or microchips.
National Animal ID
A national systems for animal identification is still being developed. Its purpose is to trace movements of animals, in the
event of a disease outbreak or act of bioterrorism. Most other
developed countries have similar systems in place. For sheep,
the form of identification will probably be an ear tag that is
cross-linked with the scrapie eradication program. In other countries, electronic ID is required.
Other methods of identification
Other methods of sheep identification include DNA tags, tattoos,
ear notches, neck chains, and electronic ID. DNA tags remove
ear tissue during installation and automatically store it in
a sealed, number tube, for later submission to a lab. The DNA
tags are ideal for scrapie genotyping and are more economical
than drawing blood for genotyping.
Tattoos
Tattoos are the best permanent form of identification. They also do not harm the animal's appearance or
reduce its value in any way. The numbers and letters are made
of needles that place small holes in the ears in their shape
and the ink is applied to the holes so that the number is readable.
The biggest disadvantage to tattooing is that tattoos are difficult
to read from a distance. It is usually necessary to catch the
animal to determine its number.
Ear notching
An ear notch is a V-shaped notch placed somewhere in the ear.
While ear notching can be a complete animal identification system, as is done with swine, ear notching in sheep is more commonly used for simple differentiation. For example, ear notching can be
used to denote birth type and/or week of birth. Ear notches
can be used to mark ewes for culling.
Neck chains or straps
Neck chains or straps are the least used form of identification
in sheep. They are most common with dairy animals. Neck chains
have a numbered tag that corresponds to that animal's identification
number.
The chain most be positioned around the animals neck tight enough
not to fall off, but loose enough not to allow for easy breathing
and growth of young animals. Growing animals need to be inspected
frequently. Chains can be caught on protrusions that may choke
an animal. They are difficult to see when animals are in a group.
They are not a form of permanent identification since they can
be easily removed.
Electronic ID
The number of animals being identified with radio frequency
identification (RFID) technology is rapidly growing and may soon be required. Electronic
ear tags are the most common form of electronic ID. A microchip
and coiled copper antenna is encapsulated in a standard plastic
ear tag. A rumen bolus is administered using a balling gun and
resides in the reticulum of the animal. It is easily removed
by the packer and can be recycled.
Microchips are a form of identification that involves the implanting
of an electronic chip with a miniature radio transponder and
antenna, under the skin of an animal. The most common implant
site is between the shoulder blades or near the base of the
ear. The transponder can also come in a form that can be ingested
by the animal.
Ear tagging
Ear tags should be placed between the middle and lower cartilage
ribs in the ear and far enough out on the ear to allow for later
wool growth. In addition to identifying an individual animal,
ear tags can contain other useful information about the animal.
The first number on an ear tag can be used to denote the animal's
birth year.
Different colored tags can be used for different birth years,
breed types, sires, or owners. The name or registration prefix
of the producer or farm can be written or imprinted on the tag.
Ear tags can be inserted in different ears (right or left) to
denote birth type, sex of the lamb, breed type, or sire.
Temporary ID
Sometimes, temporary identification is desirable in a sheep
flock. Paint branding; marking crayons, sticks, and rattles;
and spray markers can all be used to identify sheep and lambs
for periods of several weeks to several months. Marks from marking
crayons will usually last for several weeks, whereas paint brands
tend to last for many months.
Some producers will paint brand or spray paint a ewe's number
on her back or side for easy identification. The same number
can be put on the lambs' backs so that ewe-lamb pairs can easily
be identified. Ordinary spray paint sheep never be applied to
sheep, especially wooled sheep.
Paint brands allow for quick identification. They are usually
used in conjunction with another type of identification. Paint
branding is useful for sales and exhibition because it is temporary
identification that is easily visible and easy to identify animals
in a sale. Paint branding is also useful when offspring need
to be identified with their parents.
Many producers paint brand ewes and lambs before they leave
the jug. Paint numbers are usually applied on the left side
for consistency in reading. When paint branding wool-producing
sheep, only fluids which have been made specifically for sheep
should be applied (e.g. Etro-Mark®). Heavy applications should
be avoided because excess paint makes it difficult to scour
the wool. Ideally, wool producers should avoid the use of paint
brands on their sheep.
Paint sticks, Chalks, and Sprays have many uses for temporarily
marking animals and come in many colors so you can use them
at the same time for different IDs. Sheep are commonly marked
with these on the back or head. They are commonly used to mark
pregnant and open ewes during pregnancy checks, as well as to
mark animals that need treated or have been treated or need
sorted off from a group and about anything else you can think
of.
Production Records
Certain basic records should be kept to monitor flock performance.
These include sire and dam, lambing date, sex of lambs, and ID
of lambs. You may also want to record comments about lambing ease,
the ewe's mothering ability, and the vigor of the lambs. Many
producers record birth weights of lambs.
Sample barn record
Date lambed |
Sire |
Dam |
Sex of lamb |
Birth type |
Birth weight |
Lamb ID |
Comments |
2/26/19 |
Duke |
121 |
R |
2 |
9.0 |
1701 |
. |
2/26/19 |
Duke |
121 |
E |
2 |
8.5 |
1702 |
. |
3/2/19 |
Lincoln |
423 |
E |
3 |
7.0 |
1703 |
. |
3/2/19 |
Lincoln |
423 |
E |
3 |
8.0 |
1704 |
. |
3/2/19 |
Lincoln |
423 |
E |
3 |
7.6 |
1705 |
. |
3/3/19 |
Duke |
312 |
R |
2 |
10.0 |
1706 |
. |
3/3/19 |
Duke |
312 |
R |
2 |
** |
** |
Stillborn |
|
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Sample individual ewe record