After the emergence of animal husbandry, people began to look for methods to identify animals. Previously, pendants, rings and even dyeing paints were used for this. Today, outdated methods of branding have been replaced with plastic tags, electronic chips and tattoos, which will be discussed in this article.
What is the labeling of animals?
Marking cattle is used to account for animals and monitor their health.
This identification method allows you to:
- vaccination at the right time;
- designate animals that have different diseases or are being treated;
- provide a high level of management in the economy.
You will probably be interested to learn more interesting facts about cows.
Ear tags for cattle
Ear tags are a device that consists of two parts, with a hole on one side and a pin or pin of small diameter on the other. In order to put on the label, the tag is inserted into special tongs, with the help of which the fixation takes place. 
The spike is directed inside the structure, and the place for the application of information is outside. Thanks to the forceps, the procedure is carried out very quickly, while the animal does not feel pain, but only a slight discomfort.
Systematic use of the ear tag does not cause the appearance of purulent inflammations or allergies, since they are made of plastic, to which the skin does not react.
Important! The tip is designed in such a way that it acts as a surgical instrument during fixation, minimally damaging the tissue, forming a small incision, while not tearing the skin, pushing it.
What is it
Most often, ear tags are made from polyurethane or plastic-polymer. It is known that these materials have good characteristics, have moderate flexibility, which will never cause any inconvenience to the animal. 
Basic requirements for numbering
The main requirements for tags with the number:
- the figure should be visible from a considerable distance;
- label durability.
Learn more about how to keep cows, what breeds of cows are among the best, how much a cow weighs on average, how to milk a cow, and why it is important to trim the hooves of cows.
Proper Tagging
In order to minimize negative consequences, it is necessary to strictly observe the following installation rules:
- Before fixing, the tags are stored in a clean, dry container at normal temperature.
- The clipper should be suitable for the selected type of tags.
- During installation, the operator’s hand, tag and place of installation hygiene must be observed.
- The tag is placed in the clipper, which is brought to the place where it will be placed.
- Connect the two parts of the device with a quick movement.
The presence of damage is checked 10 days after the procedure. 
Can there be complications
If the chipping procedure was carried out in compliance with all installation rules, there should be no complications.
What other methods are used for marking cattle
In addition to ear tags, there are other ways to identify animals, which will be written below.
Did you know? The cattle does not distinguish between the red color that the matadors use to excite the bull during the rodeo. It turns out that animals react precisely to sudden movements of people and waving a cloth in front of their eyes.
Branding
Branding is one of the first ways to identify animals. This method allows you to get a scar on the skin or to prevent further appearance of hair in a certain area. Most often, in beef cattle breeding, branding was used with the help of red-hot iron or burning. 
Today, great popularity has received branding with the use of cold. After such treatment, the cell elements that are responsible for the production of hair pigment are destroyed on the frost-bitten skin, as a result they become white. The method of branding is to immerse the metal room in liquid nitrogen for 2 minutes.
Then the mark is applied to the skin of the animal for 50 seconds. The number will appear after 14 days and saved for several years. This is the easiest and most painless method.
Tattoo
This marking technique is carried out on breeding farms. For it use a special tool - branded tongs. The number is applied on the inner surface of the ear.
Familiarize yourself with the description and peculiarities of keeping such breeds of cows as Simmental, Belgian Blue, Dutch, Holstein, Ayrshire, Jersey, Aberdeen Angus, Black and Motley, Steppe Red, Limousin, Kalmyk, Kakhakh, Highland, Yaroslavl, Brown, Latvian, Short Shorts, Kalmyk, Kakhakh, Highland, Yaroslavl, Brown, Latvian, Shorts Kholmogorskaya
In general, the procedure is short, but a similar label will remain with the animal for life. However, this method did not become popular, as there are difficulties in identifying the number. Each individual need to catch, fix the head and only then see the number.
Electronic chips
Today, a new way of marking is gaining popularity today - electronic chips. They appeared for the first time at the end of the 20th century. They are reliable and at the same time convenient to use. 
Chip and scanner for cow Chip is a small device measuring 2 * 12 mm, which is inserted under the skin in the neck with a disposable syringe supplied with a chip. Also, the chip number, consisting of 15 digits, is indicated on the sticker that comes with the device.
Important! The surface of the electronic chip is made of biocompatible glass. Thanks to him, he not only does not migrate through the body, but also does not reject them.
Chipping has the following advantages:
- simplicity of the procedure;
- painlessness;
- speed of;
- lifelong mount;
- lack of probability of loss;
- the impossibility of substitution;
- Works in all weather conditions.
Identification of cattle is carried out using a scanning device, which brings to the place of introduction of the chip, after the publication of the audio signal the number is displayed on the screen.
Ear plucks
Ear tips - a way to identify animals, which is used very rarely today. It is carried out by cutting out pieces of skin on the ears in certain places. Depending on their position, you can find out the number of the animal. 
Ear Wings of a Cow
The advantages of ear tags over other methods
Ear plastic tags have several advantages:
- simplicity and speed of installation;
- freedom of rotation of one part relative to another;
- production of elastic polyurethane, which does not lose its qualities;
- hypoallergenic;
- durable lock;
- installation time - 10 seconds;
- flat and smooth surface;
- different colors that do not fade in the sun.
Did you know? US scientists believe that using cow dung can be used to heat stoves. They calculated that the animals that live in their country can give electricity of 100 billion kW, which is enough to heat 1 million houses.As you can see, there are several ways to identify. How to choose for your livestock is personally decided by each farmer, the main thing is to know in advance about the advantages and disadvantages of one or another method.
