We would like to attach tags of 8x4.5x2.5cm to group-housed gestating sows in order to measure their level of activity in a pen. We need to do it in a location that does not impede the signal from being transmitted. Any suggestions on the material to use, location to fix or strategy to not have it destroyed by pen-mates, are welcome.
Thank you in advance!
Olga...the reason tatoos and notching are preferred for pigs is often that tags are a problem due to what you have correctly mentioned on your question.
However, given that you are not looking at those two latter mentioned options, your best option would be smaller dimensions of aluminum tags i would suggest (because they will not be heavy/rust/break off with easy when your main worry happens) but I must say; they are very difficult to read (I hope you understand why /engraving/. What works in remedy is to have them colored,with a color like permanent black before you engrave them. The location would be on the ear as usual but try to got towards the head away from the side edge of the ear, but avoid the main veins, also be central on the ear (in terms of back and forth) and be straight and quick through from dorsal to ventral than visa versa. Its better to always apply some disinfectant...just for control of infection and flys...in case of bleeding too
Good luck and all the best
For short time (about hours to two days) elastic belts round the thorax right behind the forelegs worked with us on transported sows/pigs. Can be used with a top pocket to store and cover the tags too.
What about using the standard plastic ear tags? If you use the right antenna for recognition it should work fine - we are using it here successfully.
Cheers,
Frank,
Best way to attach a tag to a group – housed pigs:
Each sow carries an electronic identification tag that is read by the feeder,
I concur with other contributors that the ear is the best location. Place electronic tag on the lower side of the ear but as close to the head as possible, however, do not let it hang too prominently as this will easily invite other sows to surely damage the device.
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