Hello, I've been breeding Netherland Dwarfs for around two years, I've kept rabbits for over 15 but just recently started a breeding colony. I've been thinking about getting into showing so will have to get my rabbits inked which is something I've never done before.

So I'm looking into the differences between a clamp and a pen, buying v.s. trying to rent or getting someone to do the job for me.

First Big question, I was told I could get a vet to tattoo my rabbits, I called a few in my area who deal with rabbits and they said they would have to put the rabbit under anesthesia. I'm worried about is it worth putting a 2lb rabbit under just for a tattoo, any comments on this?

As well as your opinion of a clamp vs a pen and if their are issues, health?, I need to think of if I'm borrowing equipment.
Thank you.

alright i would think it would be soooo much cheeper to buy a tattooer. I use the pen cause its easy for me and i get alot of compliments on my pen tattoos but you have to make sure to get thru to the second layer of skin or u will end up redoing them a lot..its also takes more time. The clamp is faster and last long time if done right. I just cant do the clamp all by myself to where for some reason i can do my pen tattoos by myself.

I agree with LFMQ... much cheaper to do it Yourself. Much less stressful for the rabbit than a vet visit Plus anesthesia. ( really ?! anesthesia for a tatoo ?!...but i digress)

I am learning to do the pen... for me that is a two-person job. and my hands are not as steady as they once were.
Clamp style... That i can do alone...up to a certain age ( of rabbit , that is). One clamp...ink...and done. they seem to stay pretty good...providing the ink is fresh.

I honestly LOVE my pen tattooer. Its quick and the rabbits almost never struggle. If you act calm and handle the rabbit properly (and have nice penmanship) then it will turn out great with little shock or pain to the animal.

Horrible handwriting, no artistic skill... I got a used clamp and have no major problems. The rabbits are upset for maybe 2-5seconds (mine lacks an ear release so occasionally it takes a few extra seconds to pop the ear off) and aside from wanting to leave the table a little more they are fine. Occasionally you do get some that scream a little. Mostly if you get an older kit with no ear release and they get stuck like mine but the stress is not that high. I have kits scream sometimes just for being picked up if they don't realize what's going on. Thousands of rabbits get tattooed every year with no anesthesia and there are rare complications (someone not washing their equipment right) with no more stress than a trip to the vet. Scoop rabbit, clamp rabbit, rub in ink, set rabbit down to continue eating hay...

I think I will just buy my own equipment I'm leaning towards the clamp rather then the pen but I'm still just trying to decide. It may just come down to what my local store can offer me as I'm one of those who would always rather get it local the order online.
Thank you everyone, littlefish I love your rabbitry website btw, it's been very helpful to me and I've referred to it a number of times.
Can I ask what is the tattoo pen you all personally use?

The Vet telling me that my rabbit would have to be put under for the tattoo just shocked me a little, then again I'm still waiting for them to call me back with a quote.

While things are improving all the time small animals do not go through anesthesia well and many vet offices are a bit stupid thinking rabbits should be withheld from food prior to anesthesia. Not only can they not vomit but it can have very bad effects and may take lots of care to get their digestive tract going again. That makes it really not worth it to anesthetize a small animal for something simple like that even if it's not every expensive which it's bound to be. Anesthesia alone is usually around $30-$50 and most require a ~$40 exam prior.

BlackBunny... perhaps You could watch someone tatoo either their rabbits, or Your rabbits, with each method... then You could get an idea what each method entails and what You might be comfortable doing Yourself. Nothing like a learning session to get the hang of something. ( even hiring someone for a lesson can be well worth the money) I would also suggest You practice on the lesser quality rabbits first. That way an ooppsss is not as big a mistake .

Blackbunny, your avatar is ADORABLE! "Eating greens is a special treat..."

I have been researching tattoo pens and although I can't chime in with experience using one yet, I can tell you the cheapest one I've found (so far) is through MartinsCages.com. It's $50 - cheaper than a vet visit will probably run for a single litter.

Hope that helps you down the road!

I've used pen and clamp, went back to clamping as its just much faster but the pen is handy for doing touch ups in a hurry especially. I've picked up sets as little as $10.00 used or purchased new for almost $80.00 (shipping was 15.00 of it). The biggest factor I've found is not the type of tattooer but the age of your ink and color of it, old ink will not stay in a tattoo no matter how well it is done. Black, dark green, or dark blue are easier to read and hold better then the bright or other odd ball colors I've tried. New and fresher ink does better then ink that's been around for a year unused, I've found the shelf life of my ink is about 3-4 months with the tats that I do and I never use a whole bottle, but I'm guilty of forgetting it in places and some times it gets too cold or too hot on it so that plays a part in the shorter shelf life. There is a possibility of a rabbit that's been tattooed to break a back or other bones if they try to escape and they're being held tightly, but I've never had it happen to me. But I would say you've got a higher chance of killing a rabbit from putting them under. I don't see the point in that...sounds like a vet that doesn't know very much about rabbits to me. The wost thing I've had to do is re-do a tat as I hit a patch in a black ear where there was more bleeding then usual and so the ink didn't hold. I know at most shows I go to there's usually some one that'll do a tat for a buck or two, but if you can find another show breeder in your area they could probably tattoo your buns before a show too so that if they're using a clamp they're healed over and clean. Clamping tends to get messy with the ink lol.

Thank you so much everyone, I think I've decided to go with a clamp and I'm looking at a grand champion 2 set, I'm the kind of person who likes to doodle on themself with pens so I think I should just stay away from a tattoo pen. Although the main pro for me getting a pen was that it may be easier with those tiny dwarf ears, I think the clamp will be better to have for the long run.
Unfortunately I really have no bunny breeders within a days driving, which is again a main reason I'm looking forward to traviling to a show just to find more bunny people. I was offered to get the tattoos done at the show but I wanted to have them done beforehand to cut down on stress.

Get nice clamp set now, get a pen later.
Thank you for the note on ink SMR I'll remember it.

Both methods have their strong points, but if you decide to go with the pliers, choose one which has smaller digits and has an automatic release. The smaller digits? Because you're already limited to space in the rabbit's ear, especially with a dwarf. The auto-release? Because it lessens the chance of injuring the rabbit in the process of applying the earmark.

Using the pen will really challenge your penmanship and artistic abilities. If you're good at both, you'll still need practice, but it tends to work, last, and look much better.

There's no shame in paying a registrar at a show to ink your rabbits for you. I've done it each time because my penmanship stinks, but before going to a show and counting on someone being there to do it for you, please call ahead and verify with the show secretary that someone will be available to do so. I've been to several shows in the past year where there wasn't a registrar or anyone else to do it.

Yes, make sure to get the smaller size digits/letters for those itty bitty ears!

Going with the Ketchum tool, as it's all metal and seems to be the smallest around for the modle 50D.
Can't seem to find anyone with any kind of old set so I'll get a brand new shiny set.

Poor little sneaky bunnies, your gonna get stamped and cataloged soon.