Page 263 - Agriculture_Form_Three

Agriculture for Secondary Schools

Figure 11.4 (a): Plastic ear tag Figure 11.4 (b): Plastic ear tagging pliers
and plastic ear tag

Ear notching: This method of identification involves cutting a V-shaped portion of
the ear with an agreed code of the farm. Notching can be done by an instrument called

ear-notcher or by scissors. It is a permanent and cheap method of identification.
The disadvantages of notching include easy manipulation thus making theft easy;
difficult to read without close inspection; and accidental cuts on the ear may confuse
with the notches. The method is applicable to cattle, sheep, goats and pigs. Figures
11.4 (c) and (d) demonstrate ear notching for goats and pigs.

Figure 11.4 (c): Notches on the ears of Figure 11.4 (d): Notches on the ears of a pig
a goat

Hot-iron branding: This involves putting a mark on the skin of an animal using a
hot metal object. The hot metal object leaves a permanent impression on the skin.
This method is commonly practised in ruminant animals. Hot-iron branding should

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