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Tattoos
Apr 25, 2011 14:02:31 GMT -5
Post by colewood on Apr 25, 2011 14:02:31 GMT -5
What kind and color of ink does everyone use to tattoo their calves ears? We use a green ink, but I'm finding that the tattoos don't last (or maybe I'm just not looking hard enough??). Even on some of the animals we have bought, the tattoos are faded. Any ideas or suggestions on how to fix this? Has anyone tried any different colors of inks or pastes?
Thanks, Tracey
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Tattoos
May 4, 2011 13:29:59 GMT -5
Post by gregpowell on May 4, 2011 13:29:59 GMT -5
We use blank ink and it seems to hold up pretty well. I haven't tried any other colors so I can't make any comparisons. I suspect that any color is going to fade over time with exposure to the sun and related weather elements.
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Tattoos
May 8, 2011 11:14:00 GMT -5
Post by larry on May 8, 2011 11:14:00 GMT -5
I use green ink most of the time but have used a white paste in a very black ear. My experience is to hold off on the tattoo until at least after weaning. Tattooed baby calves once and it was a disaster. The ear grows and the tattoo grows with it and becomes unreadable. I also use rubbing alcohol to clean the ear wax out of the ear first. Then I ink the ear, tattoo, and then re-ink the ear and rub it into the tattoo. If there is bleeding you need to add more ink. Your tatto should be readable under normal conditions for at least 6-8 years. Because tattoo's can be hard to read, I have the plastic ear tag, the calfhood vaccination metal clip, and pictures of cows after their first calf to aid in cow identification. Tattoo's in both ears also help. You may get part of the info from one ear and part from the other. One other "trick" when reading tattoo's is to shine a strong flashlight behind the ear when reading the tattoo. It can help.
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