Electronic and visual identification devices for adult goats reared in semi-intensive system

Abstract

-This study intended to evaluate three identification devices for adult goats reared in semi-intensive system. They were (1) the ruminal bolus, electronic identification device composed of non-toxic ceramic and weighing 74.4 g; (2) small ear tag on left ear, visual identification device with dimensions of 50 × 15mm; and (3) big ear tag on right ear, also a visual identification device with dimensions of 42 × 48 mm. Twenty-two crossbred Boer female goats with mean age of 4 years and mean body weight (BW) of 52.6 kg were used. The identification devices were applied on all animals. Time spent for administration/application, readability and retention rate of devices were assessed. Problems during and after the application of devices, as well as device losses were recorded. Evaluations were performed one day and one week after application, then, monthly, for six months. The time spent for administration/application of the devices showed mean of 21 s and was similar between the evaluated devices. One big ear tag was lost, which decreased the retention rate of this device to 95.5%. The other devices showed retention rate of 100%. The readability was 100% for all studied devices. Small ear tags and ruminal boluses used in this study are recommended for adult goats. Production systems, environment, and ear tags with large dimensions may affect the retention rates of these visual identification devices.

Readability of Electronic and Visual Ear Tags in Hair Goat Kids

“…Carne et al (2009b) reported 3.3% infection and 6.5% tissue reaction rates for e-ET in goat kids. On the other hand, Kowalski et al (2014) observed only bleeding in one goat during application of the big visual ear tag. It is thought that the problems in ears with e-ET may be caused by the greater weight due to the presence of a transponder.…”

“…Mean values of readability in e-ETs and v-ETs has shown remarkable variability, ranging from 92.3% to 100% in e-ETs (Carne et al, 2009b;Carne et al, 2010) and 82.9% to 100% in v-ETs (Carne et al, 2009a, b;Carne et al, 2010;Carne et al, 2011;Kowalski et al, 2014).…”

The use of infrared thermography for welfare assessment during the application of ear tags to lambs

“…Carne et al (2009) reported three (3.3 %) cases of extreme bleeding in 92 electronic ear tag applications. On the other hand, Kowalski et al (2014) observed bleeding in one goat only when using large-type plastic ear tags. The tagging site on the animal's ear as well as ear tag type is significantly associated with the retention of ear tags and the severity of ear lesions.…”