Purpose

1. To maintain proper records of pigs
2. To ensure proper care in feeding of pigs
3. To have better management practices wherever needed
4. To designate animals properly
5. To track health history, vaccinations, and medical treatments of individual animals
6. To facilitate breeding records and pedigree/genealogy tracking
7. To enable easy detection of sick or underperforming animals
8. To prevent theft and resolve ownership disputes
9. To comply with government regulations and livestock traceability requirements
10. To monitor growth rate and productivity of individual animals
11. To improve overall herd performance through data-driven decisions

Procedure

Methods of Identification

1. Ear Tagging

• Plastic or metal tags are attached to the ear of the pig
• Each tag carries a unique number or code
• Most common and widely used method in commercial farming
• Easy to read from a distance

1. Ear Notching

• A permanent method where notches are cut into specific positions of the ear
• Each position represents a number following a standard notching system
• Commonly used for litter and individual identification in piglets
• Should be done within the first few days of birth

1. Tattooing

• Ink is injected into the inner ear or skin using a tattooing instrument
• Provides a permanent and tamper-proof form of identification
• Commonly required for purebred and show animals
• Numbers or letters are used as identification codes

Steps in the Identification Process

1. Restrain the pig properly to avoid injury to the animal and handler
2. Select the appropriate identification method based on age and purpose
3. Clean and disinfect the area (ear or skin) before applying identification
4. Apply the tag, notch, tattoo, or microchip as per standard procedure
5. Disinfect the area after the procedure to prevent infection
6. Record the identification number along with the following details:

• Date of birth
• Breed
• Sex
• Litter number
• Dam and sire information
• Weight at birth

1. Update records regularly with health, feeding, and growth data
2. Inspect identification marks/tags periodically to ensure they are intact and readable

Important Points to Remember

• Identification should be done as early as possible, ideally within the first 3–7 days of birth
• Always use sterile equipment to prevent the spread of disease
• Replacement tags should be applied immediately if a tag is lost
• All identification records should be kept in a register or digital database
• Farm staff should be properly trained in identification procedures