goat identification

[bob clark]

I was concidering individual ID for my girls. I have my heart set on chains and numbered tags hanging from the chains. they are small now, prolly 50 - 70 lb.

any thoughts on how long to cut the chains? how tight to keep them ? will they loose them too easy? have I lost my mind trying to keep up with 45 very demanding souls?

[moosemaniac]

Bob, I use those pre-cut plastic chains with breakaway links. They're much safer than chains. Goats get caught up in stuff so easily. You can buy them on Ebay or from any online goat supplier. They're already the right size. You just link them together to fit, and adjust as needed. You can get them in very bright colors. I've never lost one. I've had a link break, but you can get replacement breakaway links.

I tattoo my dairy goats and I ear tag my meat goats.

[marvella]

hm.i want to do the same thing, but want to use metal chain as an added incentive to stay behind electric fence. can someone answer bob's questions but about metal chain?

[moosemaniac]

I wouldn't use metal chains unless there was some kind of breakaway link on them.

Ruth

[holleegee]

you can buy the breakaway links online and get the plastic chain from your local hardware store to save a little money.

[Jim S.]

I'd ear tag them with brass sheep tags or with the small Alflex tags, numbered with the date of birth and a head count, like 11071 and 11072, etc. Much less chance of losing that, and it stays no matter how big they grow. Just my opinion.

On the chain, just take your chain loop and fasten it so that the chain will not pass over the head. You will have to change them as they grow, unless you use a clasp that allows it to be adjusted. A guy I was talking to about chain and electric fence said his dad used to leave another few inches of extra chain hanging down, to make sure it contacted the fence. That would also allow for adjustment.

[mary,tx]

I had mine ear-tagged before we left Colorado, to comply with the scrapie regulations for crossing state borders. One out of three still has her tag, the others have rips in their ears.

Even so, I think that is a better option than a metal chain around a goat's neck. No, I wouldn't even consider that.

We use plastic chains for collars, and they periodically lose them when they get caught in something. What happens when your goat wearing a metal chain around its neck gets caught in something?

mary

[marvella]

Originally Posted by Jim S.

On the chain, just take your chain loop and fasten it so that the chain will not pass over the head. You will have to change them as they grow, unless you use a clasp that allows it to be adjusted. A guy I was talking to about chain and electric fence said his dad used to leave another few inches of extra chain hanging down, to make sure it contacted the fence. That would also allow for adjustment.

this is what i wanted to do. thanks for the reply!!

[moosemaniac]

A couple of years ago, I brought home four new does. They were not wearing breakaways. Within a day, one of them got caught on the fence. She was in pretty serious distress by the time we found her. She's doing well now, but I was pretty scared at the time.

I won't collar a goat without a break away!

Ruth

[bob clark]

thanks for all the responses

I think i like the idea about the bright colored plastic chain , but am not sure i understand exactly what a "breakaway" link looks like

i was planning on useing the steel spirail thingys

[holleegee]

Originally Posted by bob clark

thanks for all the responses

I think i like the idea about the bright colored plastic chain , but am not sure i understand exactly what a "breakaway" link looks like

i was planning on useing the steel spirail thingys

http://hoeggergoatsupply.com/xcart/p...cat=103&page=2

Hoegger sells the chain and the replacement link.