The Accidental Smallholder Forum
Livestock => Pigs => Topic started by: mattjen on May 27, 2011, 10:04:02 pm
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hi all, this is our first time tattooing,we have just purchased our pliers ink etc and just wondering the procedure for the dirty deed,eg which ear and which part and do we need to clean the ear with certain or just any antiseptic,
thabnks all Matt and jen
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Just make sure the ears are fairly clean (but don't wash immediately beforehand, otherwise it might affect the ink sticking).
Standard practice is inside the right and outside the left - i.e. as you look at the pig, the right ear has the tattoo on the inside, but you have to go behind it to view the tattoo on the back of the left ear.
I was taught to cover the area to be tattooed with lots of ink before using the pliers and then, after crunching them into the ear, apply more ink and work it into the puncture holes with a toothbrush.
Tattooing is a horrible process, and I would recommend wearing ear plugs! Weaner screams can be louder than those of a jet engine, apparently. Makes it a lot easier if you're own ear drums aren't suffering.
Another thing - should have mentioned earlier - MAKE SURE TO KEEP THE SOW OUT OF EARSHOT! Lock her in another barn or paddock for the duration. If she gets out, she could kill you.
Good luck
Liz
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Most good tattooing ink is an antiseptic so no need to dose with more.
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Does mummy pig not object to being taken away to another barn or paddock, without her babies? It would have to be somewhere really quite far away to not be able to hear jet engines or her piglets squealing. Just wondering, as ours (mum and piglets) have not yet been separated since birth 3 weeks ago, and when she goes into the adjoining paddock, on her own, for some extra grass, she is still very attentive and regularly checks through the fence to see whether they are all there and OK. I am convinced she can count, to ten, pretty impressive!
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The sows ("mummy pigs" as you call them) are glad to get out for a while. As outdoor pigs, they are in an artificial environment being cooped up in farrowing quarters. They love the break. I take them down to their usual paddocks, about 1/8th of a mile away, for about half an hour.