Tattoo questions

pookshollow · #1 09/27/07, 07:39 PM

(Can't wait to see the google ads for this one

)

I've got several goats to tattoo soon, for registration. Do you clean and sterilize the tattoo equipment between each goat?

Also, do you tattoo grade goats? If so, what sort of numbering would you use? My purebreds from this year will be T1, T2 etc. I've got a nice little Alpine/Saanen doeling whose kids I think will be worth registering down the road. She's pure white, so in the interests of identification, I think it might be worth tattooing her.

HazyDay · #2 09/27/07, 07:49 PM

Just so EVERY ONE REMEBERS WE ARE IN CANADA, DIFFERENT TATTO CODES!
2005= R 2006= S 2007= T 2008= U 2009= W 2010= X.

I don't have my grades tattoed, but will be doing all kids born next year. I will only be using [/B]HDY[B] (My herd combo.)in the right year and the year it was born in the left ear U

So lets say I sell a doeling. Boer Cross Nubian. I will use this combo. Since the owners don't want to have any papers. Atleast I can see any of my herd animals years from now.

HDY~~~~~U

(NOTE im not using the order it was born in since that may get people thinking she is a reg animal.)

I heard on the Rabbit fourm of using this combo. Im not sure you could do this with a tatto.
03401012008
It means s/he was the 34th kid born that year. on Jan 1st 2008

Hope it helps!

Every one I have seen tatto's cleans after each use

pookshollow · #3 09/27/07, 08:44 PM

Quote:

Just so EVERY ONE REMEBERS WE ARE IN CANADA, DIFFERENT TATTO CODES!

Yup, we just gotta be different, eh?

OK, well that's useful - gives me an idea of what to do with the grades. I was thinking along the lines of (for this year) TG 1, but I guess just the T would do - or maybe TG without the numeral?

Vicki McGaugh TX Nubians · #4 09/28/07, 12:03 AM

I do. Since I purchase tooth brushes for brushing the green paste into the holes, I also keep a toothbrush in rubbing alcohol for cleaning digits after using. I do use seperate toothbrushes for each kid, and no double dipping back into the paste. It's part of CAE prevetion, although it's really bogus with kids on lambars together that you can prevent the spread in kid pens! Vicki

deetu · #5 09/28/07, 12:14 AM

I'm in the Scapies program, so everything is suppose to be either tagged or tattooed for sale unless it is going straight to the slaughterhouse. So all my girls get tattooed. Boys get tagged if not going to the sales unless asked, then it gets tattooed

I bought those cotton squares instead of cottonballs and found they were perfect for tattooing. I use a new square, alcohol soaked and tattoo it. Seems too simple, doesn't it?

pookshollow · #6 09/28/07, 08:27 AM

Quote:

I use a new square, alcohol soaked and tattoo it.

Let me see if I've got this right - you soak the cotton square in alcohol and tattoo through the cotton?

Do you ink the pliers or just punch the ear and apply the ink to the ear?

I've never done this before, so if someone could describe it step-by-step, I'd really, really appreciate it!

**fordson major** · #7 09/28/07, 08:51 AM

these folks can make you a custom tattoo punch so it can not be mistaken for a pure bred tattoo. we have delt with them for many years directly though not since they moved to brockville! their tatoo ink is still very visible on a 16 year old dog we have. wear plastic gloves, swab area that you are punching with alcohol and soak the pliers between use in alcohol. smear ink on the ear and after punching massage the ink into the holes do not remove excess ink!! (yep they will get it over everything) we boil the set before and after use. while i have not done goats but many dogs and cattle over the years. http://www.ketchum.ca/pages/livestock/livestock1.htm

pookshollow · #8 09/28/07, 10:04 AM

And they're Canadian!

HazyDay · #9 09/28/07, 11:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pookshollow

And they're Canadian!

YES! Im in need of a Tattoo gun! Yes!

dkdairygoats · #10 09/28/07, 12:43 PM

I usually wipe the ear with alcohol, tattoo it, then put ink on it. Keeps my tattoo pliers clean and still leaves a clear tattoo if you rub it in well. And yes, always clean the pliers with alcohol or chlorhexidine rinse (I prefer chlorhexidine....alcohol isn't a very good disinfectant unless you let it soak for 20 minutes.)

pookshollow · #11 09/28/07, 04:37 PM

Ok, I think I'm ready to try this, this weekend. But realizing that I bought a used set, I'm going to boil everything first - just to be sure.

**fordson major** · #12 09/28/07, 06:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pookshollow

Ok, I think I'm ready to try this, this weekend. But realizing that I bought a used set, I'm going to boil everything first - just to be sure.

just make sure the pins are not rusty!! clean with clr till not rusty. have someone hold the head and be ready for them to jerk.

hoofinitnorth · #13 09/28/07, 06:13 PM

Yes, you SHOULD sterilize between goats. In this case, treat your pets like humans - no needle sharing!! A local vet apparently told some local goat owners that alcohol does NOT kill CAE and some other nasties. He told them to scrub it well with a toothbrush and soak their stuff in BLEACH for 20 minutes MINIMUM between goats in addition to the alcohol treatment. I can't tell you if he's right or not, I can just repeat what I was told.