TAGGING

[GUSRENTIT]

How do I go about tagging my rabbits. I need to keep better track of them, before it gets out of hand. Can I use ear tags?
Thanks, Gus

 

[Ms. Research]

Tagging to keep records? I've never heard of putting an ear tag (scrappie for goats) in a rabbit's ear. They tattoo rabbit's ears for pedigrees and Shows.

Is this for your meat rabbits operations? Would like to help, but I think everyone needs a little more detail of what you need to do.

Understand keeping records so things don't get out of hand.

K

 

[GUSRENTIT]

Yes for my meat rabbits, so that we can keep a speadsheet, with all needed info. I heard about the tattoo, but I thought tags might be easier, and cheaper.
Thanks, Gus

 

[Ms. Research]

Yes for my meat rabbits, so that we can keep a speadsheet, with all needed info. I heard about the tattoo, but I thought tags might be easier, and cheaper.
Thanks, Gus

Gus, if they are meat rabbits, I would think tagging their ear would be cheaper. Tattooing is good, but it does cost to have letters, numbers, etc. Meat rabbits are just that, for meat. It's not like you have to worry about their ears to sell them.

I would check out AZ Rabbits website. He is very knowledgable about meat rabbits (big producer) and could have something on his website that talks about keeping records. He's very helpful too, so you could just PM him.

Plus SuburbanFarmChick has a thread called "Ongoing Rabbit Project". maybe you can see how he plans to keep records of his meat rabbits.

Hope this helps a little.

K

 

[AZ Rabbits]

Tagging rabbits is a bad idea. It will lead to all kinds of problems and harm the rabbit in the long run, even if they are meat rabbits. Many animals are fine to tag, but not rabbits. Invest in a tattoo kit or get a tattoo pen and tattoo their left ear. Use any number, letter or combination you'd like to keep track of who is who.

 

[GUSRENTIT]

Many thanks for the good info. Any suggestions where to get tattoo equipment cheap?
Gus

 

[AZ Rabbits]

Many thanks for the good info. Any suggestions where to get tattoo equipment cheap?
Gus

I buy my equipment from Klubertanz (www.Klubertanz.com). Their products are high quality and a little cheaper than some of the other places. And the people are very helpful. But there are many other options as well: Bass Equipment, KW Cages, etc.

 

[secuono]

Rabbits live in small cages with varying size holes in that wire, it would be far too easy for them to get it caught and shred their ears apart. Plus they have large blood veins, they would bleed a lot after they tear it.

Tattooing is going to be the best way. Since they are just for meat, you can alternate ears for different info. Does have info in the left ear, bucks in the right, or a different color, etc.

 

[oneacrefarm]

Tattooing is definitely the way to go. Rabbits ears are not made to support a tag, too lightweight and too many big vessels. Like someone said, they could get caught on the cage wire and rip it out. You can also find the tattoo clamp kits second hand, just be sure to sterilize before use. Some use a tattoo pen or even a regular tattoo gun like is used on a human. You can find kits for those really cheap on EBay and the like.

 

[lastfling]

Slightly off topic, but.... I can't remember which thread / forum I read this on. Most electric tatoo pens have instructions that tell you to practice on a banana. All's well and good. I can write great on a banana. What they don't tell you is that you need to find a kicking, squirming, jerking banana to practice on. I can write not so good on one of those, as I found out last weekend.