Let's talk about tattooing

[ollitos]

I need to order a tattoo kit. And I need to figure out a tattoo scheme. I've read other people's tattooing patterns - initials of dam and sire, number for month born and litter number. I like the idea of having the dam and sire's initials.

Thing is, I need to get to tattooing soon. And I have a lot of NZs that look identical or very similar. I'm ready to start breeding them so tattooing is very necessary to tell them apart. I like the idea of a clamp tattoo kit because I'm not very steady and I don't think I could do a good job with jumpy, kicky rabbits if I had to freehand it.

I was looking at this http://www.bassequipment.com/Miscellane ... fault.aspx The alphabet is an additional $30+/-. I really can't afford $70+ right now. But I don't necessarily want to start out with only digits, tattoo what I have, then start using the alphabet too. I'm OCD like that.

So I'd like to hear all about your pro's and con's, experiences, why you tattoo the way you do, etc. I'm feeling very indecisive but I need to order soon.

 

[skysthelimit]

I use the clamp, I got it on eBay. $30. Someone used a pen on a bun I had last Sat, and from what I saw, I'd rather stay with the clamp. Two letters and 2 numbers, stamped on the first pass by myself.

 

[3mina]

If you need the alphabet as well, I'd go ahead and get it, $70 now and you'll have everything you need for as long as you have rabbits. Tattoo kits don't lose value either (as long as you have all the bits
Another option is eBay or amazon

 

[skysthelimit]

since I tattoo only brood/show rabbits, probably less than 30% of my litters, I haven't really bothered with a system other than number order.

 

[ottersatin]

How one decides to tattoo their Rabbits is a personal choice.
Just choose a system that will continue to work for you as your herd grows.
I would go out on the limb and purchase a complete set of the Alphabet,
in fact you might want to pck up a few extra letters incase you have
a Doe and Buck with the same initial. I tattoo every kit in the litter,
just in case I may decide to keep a member of that litter as future
breeding stock. I use the initials of the Dam and Sire and a number.
Ottersatin. ldtimer:

 

[tm_bunnyloft]

Its hard to decide what to tattoo. I have small rabbits with tiny ears. I dont want to be putting to much in those little ears. And every rabbit on their pedigrees has a 3 digit tattoo. I may pick a letter for the year and a number for the rabbit. I have all my rabbit info saved on a database online and backed up on a thumb drive as well.

I had thought about a clamp but worried about losing the tiny little letters and numbers.

 

[SarahMelisse]

I bought the set with the clamp, ink, and one number set. Then I added on a letter set and a second number set incase I need a 22 or 44 or something like that. Just get what you need now so you don't have to worry about finding the same exact brand and size again later. Clamps are fast and easy! I am super OCD too and I wouldn't be able to stand handwritten tattoos. Every clamp tattoo looks the same.

 

[SuburbanHomesteader]

Will add my questions here -

WHEN do you tatoo - at what age?
What size letters/numbers do you use? I've seen kits with different size letters.
Any tips to offer / problems to avoid?

Thanks!!

 

[tm_bunnyloft]

some use a tattoo pen and some a clamp. I would go with the 3/16th size clamp if you are using a clamp. An inkinator pen is the best pen, or some say the EZtat pen works well too. You can tattoo at any age, in the left ear. The right ear is saved for a registration tattoo if you register your rabbit. Everyone has there own system for what they tattoo. Some use the rabbits name. Some a series of letters and numbers for parents, kit number, birthday, ETC;, So its really up to you. You just need to find a system that works for you.

 

[SuburbanHomesteader]

Thanks - will use clamp type - can't imagine the rabbit sitting still and me having a steady-enough hand to do a legible "free-style". I usually wean around 5 or 6 weeks, so I take it that's not too young.

 

[OneAcreFarm]

WHEN do you tatoo - at what age?What size letters/numbers do you use? I've seen kits with different size letters.Any tips to offer / problems to avoid?

I generally try to get them tattooed at 6wks, it seems to hurt less. I use a pen tattooer, so I try to write them as small as I can. Have a second person help you by holding the rabbit for you, makes it much easier!

 

[starshotbandit]

I am having a hard time coming up with a number system myself and my first litter is due in a few days. I looked at bass as well and if i had the money Iwould deffanitly get the regesters set and an extra set of numbers. comes in a case all tidy but ti does cost like $90.00 with shipping. I really cant aford that would love to, but after getting screwed by a local feed guy on my first set of plyers (4space plyers #s an ink $88.00), My husband is against it(kinda),unless i sell them(wich i want to do)and get back the money I lost.

 

[ollitos]

I got a great set for $50... I posted about it somewhere...

My rabbits are named Rubia's Whatever so I started with my brood does - R1, R2, R3, etc. I'll probably change at some point but for now that's what I'm going with.

Most of our litters will be butchered so I won't bother tattooing them. The keepers or ones I sell will all get tatts at around 7 or 8 weeks.

 

[MKirst]

Has anyone used the KBTatts Rabbit Pen ? I seen this pen posted on a FaceBook page a couple weeks ago and it looks really nice. There is a YouTube by the person who designed it. I think I'm going to buy this one. My tattoo series is going to be MKF with a number for my foundation breeders and MK01-MK02-MK03 etc for the babies. Or maybe MKA1-MKB1-MKC1 and name the litters by whatever letter.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r5Q_DRSvujc[/youtube]

 

[skysthelimit]

Someone said they would and I am considering it esp for the hollands and wollys

 

[Oceanrose]

I have the KBTatts tattoo set. I have used it once, and I'll update the thread once I get a chance to take a photo of the finished tatt. It looks really dark and nice. I have yet to tattoo the others, been busy since I got home from out of town, and all bunny related activity has been grooming, cleaning stuff .

I am really impressed by the quality of the set, and so far would recommend it .