Animal welfare aspects on electronic animal identification for goats

Project

(c) Thünen-Institut/Heiko Georg

Electronic animal identification with goats on pasture with respect to animal welfare

Electronic identification of sheep and goats is mandatory in Europe since 01.01.2010. There are many concerns about injuries related to identification tags. Thus the objective of our study was the evaluation of an early identification of goat kids together in their housing and on pasture.

Background and Objective

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Approach

In a scientifal approach 162 goat kids were randomly assigned to two different application times, browsing of bushes and 4 diefferent ear-tag types. Inflammation and potential risk for injuries was assessed regularly. The first 3 months, goats were raised in the stable with potential risk at hay racks and metal separating grids.

With following period on pasture two different fences were evaluated:

  • Mobile electric net fencing
  • Mobile wire fencing and browsing (fodder hedges)

Data and Methods

Two application times were used: less thans24 h after birth and after 9 months ear tags were applied. At first, every four days, finally every 10-20 days a visiual inspection of wounds and healing was documented.

Results

None of ear-tags applied nor any husbandry or application time caused inflammations. Exisiting inflammations were rated as marginal. Even the use of electric net fences and browsing of fodder hedges did not provoke extended scab. Technical defects and losses could not be observed.

Thünen-Contact


Involved Thünen-Partners


Involved external Thünen-Partners


Funding Body

  • Landwirtschaftliche Rentenbank
    (national, privat)

Duration

1.2010 - 2.2012

More Information

Projekt type:
Project status: finished

Publications

hits: 14

  1. Georg H, Bender S, Ude G (2013) Anwendung eines Systems zur automatischen Verhaltenserfassung von Ziegenlämmern bei der "Beweidung" von Futtergehölzen. In: Neuhoff D, Stumm C, Ziegler S, Rahmann G, Hamm U, Köpke U (eds) Beiträge zur 12. Wissenschaftstagung Ökologischer Landbau : Ideal und Wirklichkeit: Perspektiven ökologischer Landbewirtschaftung . Berlin: Köster, pp 560-563
  2. Börner W, Ude G, Bender S, Georg H (2013) Beweidung von Futterhecken mit Ziegenlämmern. Landbauforsch Appl Agric Forestry Res 63(1):69-78, DOI:10.3220/LBF_2013_69-78
    pdf document 315 kb
  3. Georg H, Ude G, Bender S (2012) Automatisierte Erfassung des Weideverhaltens von Ziegenlämmern mithilfe eines Echtzeit-Positionierungssystems. KTBL Schr 496:225-226
  4. Ude G, Börner W, Bender S, Georg H (2011) Untersuchung zur Beäsung von Futterhecken mit Ziegenlämmern. Landbauforsch SH 346:77-90
    pdf document (limited accessibility) 2048 kb
  5. Koopmann R (2011) Untersuchungen zur Wirksamkeit von Eichenrinde zur Entwurmung von Jungziegen. Tierärztl Umsch 66(5):210-212
  6. Rahmann G (2009) Ökologische Schaf- und Ziegenhaltung : 100 Fragen und Antworten für die Praxis. 2., überarb. Aufl. Braunschweig: FAL, 261 p
  7. Koopmann R (2009) Parasitenmanagement beim Weidegang von Ziegen. Landbauforsch SH 332:97-101
    pdf document (limited accessibility) 419 kb
  8. Rahmann G (2008) Maintenance of protected biotopes in Germany by goats keeping. In: Proceedings of the 9th International Conference on Goats : "Sustainable Goat Production: Challenges and Opportunities of Small and Large Enterprises" ; Querétaro, México, August 31st - September 4th, 2008. p 100
  9. Rahmann G (2008) Naturschutz mit Schafen und Ziegen. Landbauforsch SH 320:11-26
    pdf document (limited accessibility) 623 kb
  10. Rahmann G, Seip H (2007) Alternative management strategies to prevent and control endo-parasite diseases in sheep and goat farming systems - a review of the recent scientific knowledge. Landbauforsch Völkenrode 57(2):193-206
    pdf document 761 kb
  11. Rahmann G, Seip H (2007) Bioactive forage and phytotherapy to cure and control endo-parasite diseases in sheep and goat farming systems - a review of current scientific knowledge. Landbauforsch Völkenrode 57(3):285-295
    pdf document 780 kb
  12. Rahmann G, Koopmann R, Gutperlet J (2007) Die Wirkung der Fütterung von Haselnussblättern auf die Ausscheidung von Magen-Darm-Strongylideneiern bei Ziegen. In: Zikeli S, Claupein W, Dabbert S (eds) Beiträge zur 9. Wissenschaftstagung Ökologischer Landbau "Zwischen Tradition und Globalisierung" : Universität Hohenheim, 20.-23. März 2007 ; Bd. 2. Berlin: Köster, pp 649-652
  13. Rahmann G (2007) Extensive Standorte : Grenzen, Möglichkeiten und Gefahren. In: Rahmann G, Schumacher U, Reinmuth B (eds) 2. Internationale Bioland Schaf- und Ziegentagung - Schlüssel zum Erfolg, 27.-28. November 2007 in Herrsching : Tagungsreader. pp 21-33
  14. Rahmann G (2004) Utilisation and maintenance of indigenous shrubs in protected open grassland (Gentiano-Koelerietum) by organic goats keeping. Landbauforsch Völkenrode 54(1):45-50
    pdf document 345 kb