Tattooing Tips

Each breeder should have his or her own farm "prefix" or "tattoo letters", which is registered with the Pygora Breeders Association.  If you do not have a registered herd name you can request one online or via postal mail.

• Online Herd Name Registration, pay via PayPal

• Postal Mail Herd Name Registration, pay via Check

The prefix consists of up to three letters, which identify their particular herd. The prefix goes in the right ear or tail web.

In the left ear or tail web you use a birth letter (R for 2002, S for 2003 etc.) and an individual animal number up to three digits (0-999). the kids are marked R1, R2, R3, etc as they are born. The letters G, I, O, Q and U are not used because they may be confused with other letters or numbers. to tell which is the left and the right ear/tail web, you and the goat must be facing the same direction. I.E. if it is your right ear, it is the goat's right ear.

Note:
R = year born.  1, 2, 3, etc. =  first born, second born, third born, etc.  (up to four digits).

USDA Scrapie Eradication Program
Website: http://animalagriculture.org/scrapie/Scrapie.htm 

The USDA has initiated a Scrapie Eradication Program designed to track all breeding and exhibition goats. As of the spring of 2002, if you plan to sell, transport or exhibit animals, you will need to apply for a Premise ID number with the USDA office. If your animals are registered with PBA, the above tattoo/microchip will substitute for the USDA premise ID ear tag but you will still need a premise ID number. You can find a copy of the letter from the USDA stating that the microchip on PBA registered Pygoras can be subsituted for the ear tag here.  Copies of the goat's PBA registration papers must accompany the animal when sold, traveling, or on exhibition. If you do not register your Pygora goats with PBA, you will still need to apply for a Premise ID # and ear tag your goats.

For various state requirements, which may be different from the federal requirements, check with your local veterinarian or state officials. Stay tuned, as this is an experiment in progress for the eradication of this disease.