Kõrvamärkide

Kõrvamärkide, also known as ear notches, are marks made on the ears of livestock, most commonly pigs, for identification purposes. This method is a traditional and simple way to distinguish individual animals within a herd or group. The notches are typically made using a specialized notching tool or a sharp knife, creating specific patterns of cuts or holes in the ear.

The placement and configuration of these notches are not random. A standardized system is often employed, where a particular notch in a specific location on the ear signifies a unique identifier. This system can indicate information such as litter number, piglet number within a litter, or other herd management data. For instance, a notch in the upper part of the left ear might denote the litter number, while a notch in the right ear could identify the individual piglet.

Ear notching is a permanent form of identification that can be performed on young animals, usually at a few days old. While effective, it is important that the process is carried out carefully to minimize stress and infection risk for the animal. The practice remains common in many agricultural settings due to its low cost and ease of implementation, although alternative identification methods like ear tags or microchips are also widely used. The long-term visibility of ear notches allows for easy visual identification from a distance.