NVAP Reference Guide: Sheep and Goat Identification

In addition to listing an animal’s age, gender, and breed, use one of the following identification methods. (See fig. 10 for a depiction of sheep dentition, table 7 for information on tooth eruption in sheep, and tables 8a and 8b for lists of goat breeds and sheep breeds.)

• Official sheep and goat eartags 
  • Serial number tags are issued to accredited veterinarians for use in completing CVIs or test charts when the animal is not already officially identified and the owner does not have official eartags to use.
  • Call 1-866-USDA-TAG to request free official sheep and goat serial eartags. Accredited veterinarians may alternatively elect to purchase official RFID “840” sheep and goat tags for these purposes directly from an approved tag manufacturer.
  • Flock owners likewise may request free official flock ID tags by calling the same number or may purchase official flock ID or “840” sheep and goat tags from an approved tag manufacturer. Flock ID tags are imprinted with the flock ID number and an individual animal number.  
• Legible registration tattoo when the animal is accompanied by a copy of the registration certificate in the current owner’s name, or if not in the current owner’s name a copy of the registration certificate and a completed transfer of ownership form dated within 30 days of the movement or if not in the current owner’s name a copy of the registration certificate and a completed transfer of ownership form dated within 30 days of the movement or a CVI listing the registry, the tattoo number and flock of origin owner name and address and current owner name and address if different. 
• Electronic implantable devices (EID) when the animal is accompanied by a reader and copy of the registration certificate, that includes the EID number, that is in the current owner’s name, or if not in the current owner’s name a copy of the registration certificate and a completed transfer of ownership form dated within 30 days of the movement or a CVI listing the registry, EID number and flock of origin owner name and address and current owner name and address if different or in the case of SFCP animals moving without change of ownership or to another SFCP flock, the EID number and flock of origin owner name and address and current flock ID, owner name and address if different. 
• Legible Flock ID tattoos composed of the Flock Identification Number assigned by APHIS and an individual animal number unique within the flock. (To get a Flock ID assigned flock owners can call 1-866-USDA-TAG) 
• See 9 CFR parts 79.2 and 79.3 for exemptions or other options.

NOTE: Anyone who applies official identification must maintain records. For detailed information refer to the Scrapie Eradication Uniform Methods and Rules, Part III.B.2.  For additional information, call 1-866-USDA-TAG or contact your local APHIS –VS Area Offices.

Table 7 – Eruption and replacement of teeth in sheep

1 The lower figures are for early-maturing breeds; the higher figures are for late-maturing breeds. Adapted from: Schummer, August; Nickel, Richard; Sack, Wolfgang Otto. 1979. The viscera of the domestic mammals, second ed. New York: Springer–Verlag.