436 A STUDY OF FARM ANIMALS 



various methods of notching the ear of the pig at 2 or 3 weeks 

 of age are used. With a common punch, such as is used for 

 cutting holes in leather, a shallow notch is cut in the edge of 

 the ear of the pig. The following method is in use at the 

 Ontario Agricultural College, and its application is thus 

 clearly described by Prof. Day.* 



/O 



Figure 204. A method of number- Figure 205. Another method of 



ing pigs by ear marks. numbering piga by ear marks. 



"The accompanying diagram shows the plan of numbering with 

 explanation of its use. For example (Figure 204) all the pigs in the first 

 litter would have a nip taken out of the lower edge of the left ear next to 

 the head, which represents No. 1, No. 2 is indicated by taking a nip out 

 of the lower edge of the left ear half way between the base and the tip; 

 and the pigs in the third litter have a nip taken out of the tip of the left 

 ear, and so forth. Between 5 and 10 two nicks are necessary. Thus, 6 = 5 

 + 1,7 = 5+2,8 = 5+3,9 = 5+4. For No. 10 we go to the lower side of the 

 right ear next to the head. Larger numbers call for various combinations, 

 for example, 11 = 10+1, 12 = 10+2, 17 = 10+5+2. etc. The nick should 

 not be made deep, or it will disfigure the ear; just a little deeper than the 

 thickness of the skin is sufficient. If the piece is cut out cleanly, the 

 mark will stay as long as the_ear lasts." 



A private swine herd book should be kept by every breeder 

 of swine. In this he should enter the name and number of 

 each animal, the date of farrowing, name and number of sire 

 and dam, from whom purchased and price, with space for 

 recording name and address of persons to whom sold. In 

 addition to these facts, a diagram of head and ear should 

 be shown against each animal recorded, with the ear notches 

 shown thereon. A card system is especially favored by 

 swine breeders, the main facts as above given being on one 

 side of the card, while the pedigree is given on the reverse 

 side. Space is also available for listing the litters of sows. 



A feeding platform for swine is often used among feeders 



*Productive Swine Husbandry, 1915 



