Ear Tags for Pigs: Primaflex, Twintag and the Applicator

Ear Tags: The Marking That Stays With the Animal

Every pig needs official identification that does not wear away and stays readable for months. That is exactly what an ear tag does. It goes in once and stays with the animal through to slaughter, which is why material, fit and a clean applicator matter. Here you will find two tag systems, the applicator that goes with them and a conversion kit for tools you already own.

Primaflex and Twintag compared

The Primaflex ear tag is built in one piece and available blank as well as printable on both sides. It has a low profile, sits flat against the ear and so catches less often when the animal rubs against a wall or trough. The Twintag ear tag consists of a pin and a counterpart, so it is applied in two parts. This design sits firmly in the ear and reads well from both sides, which saves time when sorting in the pen. Which system makes sense for you depends on your system of housing and on the requirements of your authority. Both tags are built for permanent use in a pig house and stand up to moisture, ammonia and cleaning.

Applicator, conversion kit and correct fitting

The Twintag system comes with the aluminium ear tag applicator with a tension spring. The light body is kinder on your hand over a long run of animals, and the spring makes sure the applicator opens cleanly again after every tag. If you already work with an applicator, you do not need a new tool straight away: the conversion kit switches an existing applicator to other types of tag. Place the tag between the cartilage ribs in the middle third of the ear, not too close to the head and not at the edge. Keep the pin clean, disinfect it between litters and check the ears over the following days. If the tag sits correctly, the site heals quickly and without inflammation.

Frequently asked questions

Where do I get the registration number?
The number is issued by the authority responsible for you, not by the trade. So check there first which numbers are allocated to your holding and in what form they have to appear on the tag. Only then do you order printed tags.

What do I do if a tag is lost?
The animal is re-tagged, usually with the same number. Keep replacements on hand in the house for cases like that and report the loss in the way the rules in your country require.

At what age do I fit the ear tag?
The first weeks of life are usual, mostly well before weaning. The ear is still soft then and the tag beds in well. The exact time limit is set for you by the responsible authority.