Learn effective ear notching techniques for identifying pigs with our comprehensive guide from New Mexico State University. Essential for pig management! The differences between pig breeds are visually determined using the traits of main body color, ear position and having or not having white markings on the body and comparing those traits with breed characteristics.
We'll start off with a chart showing pig breeds with main color, ear position and markings listed. In swine production and exhibition, ear notching serves as a reliable and time-tested method for identifying pigs and documenting lineage. Understanding how to read pig ear notches is a key skill for managing herds, keeping accurate records, and supporting ethical breeding practices.
This guide breaks down the universal notching system so you can approach each []. Ear-notching helps identify a pig's litter and which one of the litter it is, giving each pig a unique identity number. Notches are placed in one of five locations in the pig's right ear.
Right ear is on pigs own right. Individual Pig Marks: Left ear is used for notches to show individual pig number in the litter. Each pig will have different notches in this ear.
Notches are shown on this page for 149 litters. You can mark up to 161 litters with this system. The Universal Ear Notching System Ear‐notching helps identify a pig's litter and which one of the litter it is, giving each pig a unique identity number.
Black in color with a full white belt over the shoulders encompassing both front legs/feet. Possess Hampshire breed character with regards to skull shape and ear shape. Erect ears.
Paper diagram of pig's ears. Pencils or markers. Note: The universal ear notching system is explained on page 10-2 of the Swine Resource Handbook published by Ohio State University.
Situation You are raising pigs for your 4-H swine project. You will need to learn how to notch your pig's ears so you have an animal identification system in place. Ear notching is a very traditional method of identification in swine in which pigs are identified based on their birth order within a given farrowing.
The pig's right ear is the Litter Ear (where the litter number is notched) and the pig's left ear is the Individual Pig Ear (where the pig number within the litter is notched). Pigs within the same litter will all have the same litter number. SECTION 3 Identification Requirements s it is distinctively ear-notched at farrowing time.
All pigs f om the same litter must carry the same litter notch. When individual ear-notches are used, the right ear shall be used for the litter notch and the left ear for individual notch, in accord nce with the oficial Berkshire ear.