IDENTIFICATION

of
LIVESTOCK

Presented by,
Dr. Tapas Kanti Das
Identification
⚫Identification of animals is must as a
requirement in the daily management to
spot and identify a particular animal in a
herd/flock.
Reasons

⚫ For registration and recording of the parentage

in breeding programme/birth.

⚫ For individual feeding of animals.

⚫ During milking.

⚫ During sale, for participation of animals in the

rally, show and exhibition.

⚫ For treating the animal.

⚫ Heat detection.
METHODS OF IDENTIFICATION
1. Temporary

2. Permanent
Temporary methods

⚫Chalk/grease marker

⚫Potassium permanganate

⚫Black/light colored
paints
Permanent methods
⚫ Ear tattooing ⚫
Pictures/sketches

⚫ Ear notching ⚫ Photographs

⚫ Branding

⚫ Cold/freeze

⚫ Hot iron

⚫ Ear tagging
EAR TATTOOING
It is one of the permanent methods of
identification system.
EAR TATTOOING
MODERN TATTOOING CONVENTIONL TATTOOING
MACHINE FORCEPS
EAR TATTOOING
Ideal Location in the Ear Tattoo number
EAR TAGGING
⚫Most popular of identification
method system.
⚫Locate the area in the ear for tagging
(half the way between base and tip of the
ear).
EAR TAGGING
FORCEPS FOR PLASTIC EAR
TAGS PLASTIC EAR TAGS
EAR TAGGING
COW WITH PLASTIC PLASTIC EAR TAG FOR
EAR TAG CATTLE
BRANDING
⚫ It is one of the permanent method.

(A) Hot Iron branding

⚫ A good hot iron branding should be visible and

recognizable since it destroys hair follicles located
under several layers of the skin and leaved a
permanent bald scar on the skin of the animal.
(B) Freeze branding
⚫ Application of cold iron to the skin of the animal
causes destruction of melanocytes and white hairs
grows on the branded area.

⚫ Iron/copper branders, Liquid nitrogen/dry ice and

alcohol.
BRANDING
EAR NOTCHING
⚫Commonly used in pigs and in beef cattle.

⚫Notching means making a ‘V’ shaped notches at

specific areas of the ear with the help of a sharp
scissors or pincers.
EAR NOTCHING
NUMBER STANDARD FOR MODEL NUMBERS BASED
NOTCHING ON THE STANDARD
Microchips