380 A STUDY OF FARM ANIMALS 



are given separate pasture and shed room. The service 

 rams are best handled by themselves. Although subject to 

 certain oversight, they may run with the ewe flock when the 

 ewes have no lambs at foot. This grouping of the flock is 

 in keeping with the most careful management, but circum- 

 stances alter cases. Each shepherd must, therefore, handle 

 his flock as best he can. 



Methods of marking sheep, so that they may be identi- 

 fied without question, are in general use in pure-bred flocks. 

 There are various methods of marking, as by metal ear tags, 

 tattooing within the ear, or by stenciling a large number on 

 the back or side of the body. The most common marking 

 system in America is the use of the metal ear tag. These 

 tags are of band iron, about a quarter of an inch wide, and 

 an inch long, on which are stamped such initials or name, 

 and numbers as may be desired. A special ear punch goes 

 with the ear tag, with which a hole is punched in the ear. 

 Then the tag is inserted through the hole, when the ends 

 are pressed together with the punch, thus making a good 

 fastening. These tags tear out easily if fastened in the ends 

 or lower part of the ears, if caught in wire fencing or else- 

 where; but, if put in the top of the ear, they are not likely 

 to tear out. Lambs should be tagged early. Prof. Frank 



Kleinheinz, of Wisconsin, says:* 



"It is a common statement among some sheep breeders that lambs 

 should not be marked when very young, because the ear label, they 

 believe, will make the lamb's ear hang downward instead of remaining 

 erect. This idea is false. At this station (Wisconsin), all lambs are 

 marked either the first or second day after birth, and they surely carry 

 their ears just as high and erect as if they had no labels in them." 



A tattoo system is extensively used among British flock- 

 masters. A series of needle points within a punch-head, 

 arranged to form desired numbers, prick the skin within the 

 ear, after which India ink is rubbed well into the punctures. 

 On white ears this ink produces permanent bluish figures. 

 A purple ink is used on black ears. The tattoo system is 

 not uniformly satisfactory, because the ink is not always 



*Sheep Management, 1911. 



