This year on the farm we had two adorable Nigerian Dwarf kids born that needed tattooing. In the past our goats had already been tattooed prior to coming to the farm. This year was different. After ordering a nice tattoo kit from Hoegger Supply Company I realized that I would need some assistance. I recruited my sister-in-law to help out for the task. I had read everything I could for help and shared what needed to be done with my assistant. Headed out to the barn we felt like we belonged on some reality show about learning things on the farm.
With the tattoo pliers loaded with the appropriate letters and numbers, ink set out ready with an old toothbrush, and rubbing alcohol for cleaning we were ready. One goat at a time we decided and went to collect the first kid. Aside from a few cries from being pulled away from his momma the buckling was quite happy to be receiving extra attention.
We cleaned each ear with some rubbing alcohol until it was dirt and grime free. Next came a first layer of black ink. Then my nerves kicked in. Along with the buckling knowing something was coming. After avoiding the cartilage the hard part was done. The kid cried more when I was rubbing ink in with the toothbrush than he did for the actual piercing part.
After all was done and cleaned up both kids were running around the pen like normal. I was fairly certain the whole ordeal was more nerve racking for me not wanting to mess up than it was for the two kids now proudly stamped with our herd tattoo and their appropriate 2014 E labels. For the next few day the kids are just going to have some very black ears from the extra ink.
We cleaned each ear with some rubbing alcohol until it was dirt and grime free. Next came a first layer of black ink. Then my nerves kicked in. Along with the buckling knowing something was coming. After avoiding the cartilage the hard part was done. The kid cried more when I was rubbing ink in with the toothbrush than he did for the actual piercing part.
After all was done and cleaned up both kids were running around the pen like normal. I was fairly certain the whole ordeal was more nerve racking for me not wanting to mess up than it was for the two kids now proudly stamped with our herd tattoo and their appropriate 2014 E labels. For the next few day the kids are just going to have some very black ears from the extra ink.