Performance of electronic and visual ear tags in lambs under extensive conditions in Turkey

Karakuş, Ferda; Demir, Ayşe Özge; Akkol, Suna; Düzgün, A.; Karakuş, Murat

doi:10.5194/aab-58-287-2015

Cited by 4 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 12 publications

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“…In addition, the tagging site on the animal's ear is critical for its retention (Karakus et al, 2015). Under the conditions of this study, electronic and visual ear tags did not fulfill the International Committee for Animal Recording (ICAR) requirements (readability >98%) for an official animal identification device at the end of the first year after tagging.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 91%

Readability of Electronic and Visual Ear Tags in Hair Goat Kids

Karakuş

Demir

Akkol

et al. 2016

Turkish JAF Sci.Tech.

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This study aimed to evaluate the readability of electronic and visual ear tags in hair goat kids managed under extensive conditions. A total of 74 kids were identified with electronic and visual ear tags at birth. Readability of electronic and visual ear tags was 97.3% and 94.6% in static conditions at the end of 7 months, and 96.8% and 93.5% at the end of the first year after tagging, respectively. No breakages and electronic failures occurred during this study. Infected ear rate in electronic and visual ear tags was 45.9% and 17.6%, respectively. Under the conditions of this study, electronic and visual ear tags did not fulfill the International Committee for Animal Recording (ICAR) requirements (readability >98%) for an official animal identification device at the end of the first year after tagging. Therefore, low animal traceability with electronic and visual ear tags was determined by this study.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 91%

Readability of Electronic and Visual Ear Tags in Hair Goat Kids

Karakuş

Demir

Akkol

et al. 2016

Turkish JAF Sci.Tech.

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“…In Canada, the radio frequency identification (RFID) tag retention rate for mature cows averaged 18% loss over 4 years [ 34 ]. Ear tags perform variably in small ruminants, with losses ranging from 0 to 20% [ 35 , 36 , 37 ]. In addition, the acute stress response to ear tagging and possible long-term ear damage raise welfare concerns, albeit minor compared to those associated with hot-iron branding [ 38 , 39 ].…”

Section: Alternativesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Branding Practices on Four Dairies in Kantale, Sri Lanka

Adcock

Tucker

Weerasinghe

et al. 2018

Animals

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Simple SummaryBranding cattle with hot irons is a painful procedure, inflicting severe burns that take weeks to heal. Although Sri Lanka prohibits hot-iron branding, the practice is still common in some areas of the country but has not been described. We observed branding practices on four smallholder farms and identified welfare concerns and challenges impeding adoption of alternative methods of identification, such as ear tags. Farmers used multiple irons to mark their initials and, in some cases, their address, with the largest brands extending across the ribs and hip. Farmers did not consider ear tags a viable alternative to hot-iron branding because of issues with security and tag retention. Hot-iron branding raises serious animal welfare concerns and efforts to introduce more welfare-friendly alternatives are needed.AbstractHot-iron branding is illegal in Sri Lanka, but is still commonly used to identify dairy herds in extensive farming systems, which are primarily located in the country’s Dry Zone. Despite the negative welfare implications of this practice, there is no written documentation of branding in this region. We observed branding on four smallholder farms in Kantale, Eastern Province to understand the welfare implications associated with the procedure and challenges limiting the uptake of more welfare-friendly alternatives, such as ear tagging. Areas of welfare concern included the duration of restraint, the size and location of the brand, and the absence of pain relief. Animals were restrained with rope for an average duration of 12 min (range 8–17 min). Farmers used multiple running irons to mark their initials and, in some cases, their address, with the largest brands extending across the ribs and hip. Three farmers applied coconut or neem oil topically to the brand after performing the procedure. No analgesics were given before or after branding. Farmers reported that poor ear tag retention in extensive systems and theft were the main factors impeding the uptake of alternative forms of identification. Branding is also practiced as part of traditional medicine in some cases. Given the clear evidence that hot-iron branding impairs animal welfare and there is no evidence that this can be improved, alternative identification methods are needed, both in Sri Lanka, as well as in other countries engaging in this practice.

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“…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. Avoiding the main veins in the ear, ear tags should be applied to a site that cannot damage the ear or cause too much ear tag loss (Karakus et al, 2015a).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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

Karakuş

2017

Arch. Anim. Breed.

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Abstract. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of metal-tipped, plastic-tipped, and electronic ear tags on the likelihood of infection using infrared thermography and to evaluate the effect on welfare by examining the behavioral responses of the lambs. Ninety lambs with an average age of 6 months were used in this study. Before the application of the ear tags, infrared images of the right and left ears of the lambs were taken with the thermal camera and the infrared temperatures were recorded. Measurements were repeated on days 1, 4, 10, and 30 after the ear tag application. The mean of infrared ear temperatures on days 0, 1, 4, 10, and 30 were found to be 14. 60, 23.20, 23.77, 20.36, and 17.61 • C for the metal-tipped ear tag group; 15.69, 21.50, 20.42, 18.00, and 16.39 • C for the plastic-tipped ear tag group; and 15. 17, 29.47, 27.49, 25.93, and 20.61 • C for the electronic ear tag group. The infrared temperatures on days 1, 4, and 10 in the control and experimental groups were significantly different from each other (P < 0.001). The plastic-tipped ear tags caused fewer problems and are preferred to the traditional ear tags with metal tips. The electronic ear tags caused more inflammatory reactions compared to metal-or plastic-tipped ear tags. The infrared thermography method may be used as a useful tool in the early detection of the inflammatory reactions and infections caused by the application of ear tags.

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Performance of electronic and visual ear tags in lambs under extensive conditions in Turkey

Cited by 4 publications

References 12 publications

Readability of Electronic and Visual Ear Tags in Hair Goat Kids

Readability of Electronic and Visual Ear Tags in Hair Goat Kids

Branding Practices on Four Dairies in Kantale, Sri Lanka

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

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