A Tattooing Tale

I don't want to see GREEN ink for a long time!

The American Dairy Goat Association requires that all goats in their registry be tattooed as a means of identification.  (See this link for more info.)  I finally sent in the registration information for the 2016 kids, so they needed to be tattooed.

Most goats are tattooed in each ear.  The RIGHT ear contains the herd identification number.  The LEFT ear is reserved for the "Letter-of-the-Year" (2016's letter is "H") and the order of birth in the herd (first kid, second kid, etc.).  It can be tricky to remember which ear is left and right, so thankfully the ADGA registration form has a diagram to help!

Hillbilly waiting for his turn...

Howdy is ready to go!

To begin the process, I loaded the tattoo pliers with the correct identification letters/numbers.  This can be tricky as they must be mirror image!

I tested the pliers on a piece of paper to make sure the sequence was correct!  Tattooing makes me a little nervous because there is no room for error!

I cleaned the tattoo numbers/letters with alcohol before using them.  

I also cleaned each ear with alcohol.  It is amazing how dirty their ears were!

I applied some green ink to a cotton ball...

...and I smeared it into the kids' ears.  I did all of the right ears first so I wouldn't have to change the tattoo.  (All of the right ears got "OBJ8" while the left ears got "H1," "H2," etc.)

I positioned the pliers in the ear and squeezed.  It didn't hurt the goats much (although I did have to get help restraining them).  It barely punctures the skin and they hardly squealed!  However, I am quite relieved that all of the letters seemed to be clearly punched and I didn't hit any veins.

Afterward, I rubbed more ink into the tattoo to make sure that it would be permanently in the skin.

And now I have green-eared goats!  The ink seemed to be everywhere!

Hilarious looks quite nice with her green ears!

The bucks like their new ear color too!

I enjoyed learning to tattoo my goats.  And, compared to the emotional "trauma" of disbudding, it was a relatively simple process.  Now all of the 2016 are registered, tattooed, and ready to their lives as "official" ADGA-registered goats!

Coloring Time!

Please note, for this post I am referencing several pamphlets that I obtained
from the American Dairy Goat Association (ADGA):

The ADGA sets "breed" standards for dairy goats.  They recognize 8 different breeds of goats:

• Alpine
• LaMancha
• Nigerian Dwarf
• Nubian
• Oberhasli
• Saanen
• Sable
• Toggenburg

Each of these breeds have very unique positive qualities (and sometimes drawbacks)!  I sometimes get asked why I chose Alpines.  Although Nubians are probably the most popular breed of goat, I chose Alpines because I had convenient access to purchasing some Alpines in my area.  I do like there excellent milk production and hardy breed.  While some breeds (LaMancha in particular) are described as "laid back," Alpines are basically the opposite.  But that is what I like about them!  Who wouldn't want a goat with so much spunk they try to escape when their owner opens the gate to see them? Ha!

Anyway, Alpines are of French descent.  There are some "French Alpine" registered goats, but most Alpines are "American Alpines" because their specific ancestry cannot be traced back to France.  (Interesting note, if you breed a French Alpine and an American Alpine, you get an American Alpine.)

They also are the only breed with specific coloring names.  According to the ADGA Breed Standards, there are 8 different colorings for Alpines, called by their French names.  The French names are always hard for me to pronounce.  Personally, I like to call them by their English colors (i.e. "that tan goat...")!  But in order to clarify for myself, and for any others who might be a bit confused about Alpine colorings, I am posting the technical French coloring list below:

• Cou Blanc (White on the front, black on the back--like Elly May)
• Cou Clair (Light shading to dark)
• Cou Noir (Black on the front, white on the back--opposite of Elly May)
• Sundgau (Black with a few white markings--just like Frankincense)
• Pied (Spotted-imagine what throwing a pie at a goat would look like!)
• Chamoisee (Black face, dorsal stripe, and legs--like Charlotte)
• Two-tone Chamoisee (Light front--like Edna)
• Broken Chamoisee (Similar to Chamoisee, but with some "irregular" markings)

To give a visual:

Elly May--Cou Blanc

Frankincense--Sundgau

Charlotte-Chamoisee

Edna--Two-tone Chamoisee

And, Edna's kids are due in less than two weeks.  She carries the potential for all of these colors.  It will be a fun surprise to see what color goats she has!

Pedi-what?

It seems to me that "Upper-class" goats have pedigrees.  In my research to purchase goats earlier this year, I found websites advertising that their goats contained certain bloodlines, etc.

As I understand it, certain farms/goats are known for producing really amazing animals as far as milk production, body conformation, etc.  These farms often register their animals by their farm name first, then the goat's name.  If a particular goat is registered, that goat's relatives can all be tracked and their genealogy can be analyzed.  Someone looking to purchase a goat can review the goat's bloodlines and see if any reputable farms or animals are in the heritage.  If so, the goat will likely display desirable characteristics.

This "pedigree" line has become a bit more relevant as I am seeking to breed-up my goats.  I have chosen a buck which is mostly unrelated to my does.  This buck has a history of throwing nice kids.  Also, some of his relatives turned out to be high-producing, nicely formed animals.  He has grandparents and great-grandparents from reputable farms.

I am only scratching the surface of understanding pedigrees.  Maybe one day I will be able to share a bit more in depth...Goat keeping is an adventure and a journey.  I never stop learning!

The ADGA

When I was looking to purchase my goats, I decided that I wanted registered goats.  In a practical sense, registration papers don't change anything about the goat.  However, registered goats are easier to sell than non-registered goats.  The bloodlines of registered goats can be traced.  Registration is also necessary for showing the goats or the goat's offspring.

The American Dairy Goat Association is the organization which organizes goat shows, compiles a directory of goat owners, offers useful information to members, and issues registrations.

Before I could register my goats, I had to join the organization.  I was issued an ADGA membership number and I was sent an information packet about various "breed standards" and association rules as well as information about raising goats.

Then, I submitted information about the goats that I had received from each of the breeders.  Charlotte was already registered, so I merely had to "transfer" the registration from her previous owner.  For the Edna and Elly May, the breeders had filled out forms with information about their coloring, date of birth, tattoo letters/numbers, etc.

Once the ADGA processed this information, I received some very official looking registration certificates in the mail!

As I went through the process of registering the goats, I found myself amused at all of the paperwork and the lengthy ordeal!  I thought goats were "farm-animals," right?

I am glad my goats are registered.  However, regardless of registration, I am thankful for my animals.  They provide a useful function (producing milk) as well as an opportunity for gaining those life lessons that can only be learned by caring for goats!