Ear Markings of Berkshire Pigs
Uploaded November 2004

To be eligible for registration into the Herd Book, Berkshire pigs must be ear-marked within three weeks of birth of before weaning and particulars of the numbers allotted, date of birth and parentage furnished to the Association before the young pigs are ten weeks old. Special forms for this purpose must be purchased from the BPA.

In the abscence of a satisfactory ink for tattooing coloured pigs, ear notching is the official method of identification. Each pig must be given an individual ear number. Numbers must run in sequence through a litter and in sequence from each litter to the next. The following system must be used:

In order that certain numbers can be allocated, it is necessary to place two notches adjacent to each other at the same position. For example:

Two notches at the 1 (units) location = 2. Adding notch 3 (units) to these at the appropriate location = 5. 25 would require a further two adjacent notches at the 1 (10s) location. 625 needs two further adjacent notches at the 3 (100s) location and so on.

Special instruments for notching pigs are available from veterinary instrument suppliers. A v-shaped pattern must be used. Notches should not be cut more than 1/8th of an inch deep. Tincture of iodine will prevent festering.

Related: BPA FORMS AND GUIDANCE