Identification Systems

What are ID Systems?

Animal identification systems are uniform numbering systems allowing one to: Identifying animals

Individual Identification Group Identification

Obtain information about the spread of illness and disease

Track individual animals during transport and relocation

Forms of ID Systems

Individual IdentificationAny animal can be identifiedMethod of ID varies by species ID stays with animal for the remainder of its

life Group Identification

Groups of animals moved together to processing unit

Benefits of ID Systems

Disease Control ID system shows which animals were involved

in the disease outbreak ID tells where the infected animals are

currently located ID tells what other animals might have been

exposed to the disease Tracking

Tracks the movement of animals during transport to insure proper delivery

Types of ID Systems

Branding Ear Tagging Ear Notching Tattooing

Branding

Originally used to show ownership Used today to identify individual animals Uses a metal instrument to burn or to

freeze a mark on the animal

Branding

Electric Branding Iron Traditional and Freeze Branding Iron

Branding Angle Branding was developed in the

1960’sUses 2 squares with one rotated an eighth of

a turn and two double barsEach symbol represents an individual number

1

03

2 4

5

67

8

9

Branding

Stacked SymbolsThis identifies the year the animal was born

Branding

Rowed SymbolsThis is the unique individual number given to

a specific animal

Branding

Reading BrandYear Born=08 ID Number = 374

Ear Tagging

A plastic ear piece is placed in the ear of the animal using special pliersThis system of identification allows for easy

identification from the front however, is less accessible from the rear

Semi-permanent

Ear Tagging

Ear Tagging Pliers

Ear Notching A special tool is used to cut out little “V”

notches on the animal’s earEach animal is given a specific number of

notches in specific places on the ear to make up an individual number

Permanent identification system common in pigs

Ear Notching

Ear Notching

In order to determine which ear to notch, one looks at the ears from the rear of the animalNotches in the pig’s right ear indicate litter

numberNotches in the pig’s left ear indicate individual

number

Ear Notching

The left ear can only have notches that represent 1,3 and 9. The notches may be doubled to produce a total of 26

Ear Notching

The right ear can only have notches that represent 1,3,9, 27 and 81. The notches may be doubled (except for 81) to produce a total of 161

Ear Notching

Reading Ear Notches Total the numbers represented for each

individual ear

Litter # (pigs right ear) Individual # (pigs left ear)

Litter # = 1+1+9+81Litter # = 92

Litter # = 1+3+3+27Litter # = 34

Indiv. # = 1+1+3+9Indiv. # = 14

Indiv. # = 1+3+3Indiv. # = 7

Ear Notching

Reading Ear NotchesCombine the results for both ears

Litter # = 1+1+9+27Litter # = 38Indiv. # = 1+3Indiv. # = 4Identification # = 38-4

Litter # = 3+3+81Litter # = 87Indiv. # = 3+9Indiv. # = 12Identification # = 87-12

Tattooing

A special tool puts inked numbers in the ears, lips, or other locations on the animalPermanent, simple and relatively painless