How to Tattoo 

 Tattooing is one method of identification that is permanent if properly done. However, it is not easily viewed and may require another complementary method of identification, such as an ear tag, that is visible from short distances. This publication primarily addresses tattooing of dairy and beef cattle and goats but is applicable to other animals.

Tattooing requires a pair of pliers and numbers or letters made of sharp, needlelike projections which pierce the skin. The tattoo ink is forced into the punctures and remains visible after the puncture wounds heal. Tattooing is usually done on the ears, and tattoos can be seen best on animals that have white ears. Those with black pigment in the ears can be tattooed, but the numerals and letters are more difficult to read. La Manchas lack large external ears, so they are tattooed on the tail web.

On dark-pigmented ears of cattle or goats (for example, Alpine goats), use green or white ink instead of black. Many brands of indelible ink are available through your livestock supply house, local livestock store or cooperative. The roll-on applicators, rather than the paste, have been proven to save ink and make the job cleaner. Remember to use a non-black ink on a dark ear.

Restrain First for Safety

The restraint of animals for tattooing will vary with the age and strength of the animal but requires that the ears be stable with little movement. A small, young animal can be held in the arms of an assistant. Older animals should be placed in a stanchion, chute or thrown and held to the ground by assistants. Goats are often placed in a box that holds kids for disbudding.

Getting Started

Step 1 – Gathering materials

Work in an environment that is as clean as possible. Other measures to decrease spread of disease include wearing gloves, using separate cloths or pads to clean animals’ ears and disinfecting equipment between animals. First, gather the necessary materials:

• gloves
• halter
• alcohol pads or rubbing alcohol and a soft, clean cloth
• spray bottle of rubbing alcohol
• tattoo ink
• tattoo kit

Consider the purchase of a small animal tattoo kit with 5/16" digits (compared to the normal size of 3/8") and tattooing at less than two weeks of age. The animals are easier to restrain, the smaller numbers are easier to insert in the ear and the tattoo will grow with the animal. Rotary tattoo kits also are available.

Be sure to maintain tattooing equipment, keeping it clean and replacing broken or dull characters (letters and numbers). A buildup of dirt or broken and/or dull equipment can result in improper or illegible tattoos.

Tattooing Procedures

Step 1. Clean Ear with Alcohol

Using an alcohol pad, clean out the ear completely. Wax interferes with the permanency of the ink; if wax is mixed with the ink, the tattoo will most likely fade. Hair can also interfere with a proper tattoo, so the ears may need to be clipped. If no alcohol pads are available, rubbing alcohol and a soft, clean cloth or cotton swab also will work, as long as the wax is completely removed. Water is normally not used to clean the ears as it can get in the ear canal and may cause an ear infection. A damp cloth can be used, but it is less sanitary than alcohol. Be sure the tattoo does not interfere with a present or future Brucellosis tattoo.

Step 2. Applying Ink

Apply a generous amount of ink over the area to be tattooed, usually between the middle ribs of the ear. Keep away from the hair around the edge of the ear. An area slightly larger than the tattoo equipment should be covered. Remember to use a non-black ink on a dark ear.

Apply ink between the first and second ribs. The ink should thoroughly cover the skin.

Step 3. Tattooing

Hold the animal securely. After verifying the correct tattoo by punching it into a piece of paper, position the tongs in the center of the ear between the ribs of cartilage and squeeze firmly. Avoiding the ribs will prevent bleeding. Be sure to lift the tongs out straight; many tattoos have been ruined by scratches. If you must re-tattoo, tattoo in the exact same place as previously unless no portions of the tattoo can be seen.

Keep a firm grip on the calf or kid to avoid any movement that could cause the tongs to slip.

Step 4. Reapplying Ink Again, apply ink and rub in firmly. This single step will assure a lasting tattoo, if you have followed the above procedure. An old toothbrush may be used to help push the ink into the punctures.

Step 5. Sanitizing Equipment Sanitize the tattoo kit between calves by spraying rubbing alcohol on the tongs and the individual tattoo pieces that have been used. This cleaning will minimize infection in the tattoo and should be done before and after each procedure.

Step 6. The Finished Product

After several weeks, the ink will dry and flake out of the ear, leaving a legible tattoo and a permanent means of identification. A note of caution – remind your veterinarian there is a tattoo in that ear and that it should be avoided if a vaccination tattoo is inserted.

After several weeks, the tattoo should become legible as the dried ink flakes out of the calf’s or kid’s ear.

Parts of this publication were taken from “Tattooing 101: Reviewing the Basics of Identifying Calves,” Jersey Journal, October, 2001, pages 27-28, and were used with permission of the American Jersey Cattle Association.

Returns are accepted on stock items but unfortunately custom tags can not be returned.