What size letter to tattoo?

Goatsandsheep · #1 09/09/10, 03:53 PM

What size letters is best to tattoo a La Mancha goat? The 3/8 or 5/16 size? Also do the letter read left to right or top to bottom? I'm thinking top to bottom. Someone was going to come help me but it getting close to fair. So we're going to bit the bullet and do it are self. I've read the fiasco farm and ADGA tips. Any other tips are welcomed. It not the tattooing that worry's me it's getting the numbers and letters right. Thanks Shelly

Alice In TX/MO · #2 09/09/10, 04:55 PM

You do it on the tail web, and you can only go from one side at a time. The letters only fit one way in the tool, so that will determine orientation.

I use the smaller letters/numbers.

You do know it takes a while for the green ink to wear off their tails, right? I hope the fair is next month.

Goatsandsheep · #3 09/09/10, 05:35 PM

Thank you Alice and unfortunately fair is at the end of the month. Hopefully she won't be to green or show to much green her tail web is dark. My other one is a pinky and thankful isn't going this month. Shelly

**mygoat** · #4 09/09/10, 06:18 PM

You use the smaller ones for LaManchas, I believe. I use the larger size for ears, but I have some LaBoers that will be kidding this year with chances of getting LaMancha ears.

FYI, The one year I went to 4H fair, I saw 2 goats with green tails... and I mean GREEN. Show people didn't say anything.

**mygoat** · #5 09/09/10, 06:19 PM

Also, you ALWAYS test the numbers on a piece of paper before putting holes in the goat.

That way you can be sure you're doing it correctly.

rabbitpatch · #6 09/10/10, 08:01 AM

When I tattoo, I use a q-tip to rub the ink on as it helps push the ink down into the holes, plus it gives you a little more control over WHERE the ink goes. Rubbing alcohol will take the ink off of unwanted areas. Tattoo them now and if the excess hasn't worn off by the week of the fair, use rubbing alcohol and a rag (terry cloth works great) and clean it off of stray areas.

Alice In TX/MO · #7 09/10/10, 08:46 AM

I use an old toothbrush to scrub the ink in the holes.

It is also recommended to scrub in a bit of baking soda.

rabbitpatch · #8 09/10/10, 09:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alice In TX/MO

It is also recommended to scrub in a bit of baking soda.

What does the baking soda do?

Goatsandsheep · #9 09/10/10, 05:13 PM

Thank you for all the help. Now I have a dilemma. I can get a 3/8 tattoo kit from Tractor Supply tomorrow morning or I have to order one. Which will take long to get here not to mention rush shipping fees. So what options would you do? Shelly

rabbitpatch · #10 09/10/10, 05:32 PM

If I'm not mistaken, Jeffers has the 5/16 kit. If you order it this weekend, they'll ship it out on Monday and should get to you in less than a week (or you can pay extra for expedited shipping).

I tattooed some ND goats for a lady a while back and one of them had to have a tattoo on it's tail. The 5/16th was the perfect size.

If you want to try the 3/8 kit, take it home and test the numbers on a sheet of paper first. If you see that it's too large, you can take the kit back to TSC and order the smaller size from somewhere else.