This presentation by University of Maryland Extension Sheep & Goat Specialist Susan Schoenian covers three topics: teeth (including how to age sheep and goats), tags, and scrapie (including tagging requirements).

1. Teeth, tags, and a TSE SUSAN SCHOENIANSheep & Goat SpecialistWestern Maryland Research & Education CenterUniversity of Maryland Extensionwww.sheepandgoat.comsschoen@umd.edu(301) 432-2767 x343

3. Mouthing sheep and goats to estimate age

4. Mouthing sheep and goats to determine soundness

5. Tags

6. Methods of identifying sheep and goats

7. Ear tagging basics

8. TSE

9. Scrapie in sheep and goats

12. Age varies by individual animal, breed, environment, and nutrition.< 1 1-2 2-3 3-4 > 4 Old Source for illustrations: Adapted from Vatta et al. (2005) Goatkeepers' Veterinary Manual.

13. Lamb – less than 1 year of age Baby teeth Milk teeth All temporary

14. Yearling (1-2 years) 1 pair

15. 2 to 3 year old 2 pairs

16. 3 to 4 year old 3 pairs

17. 4-5 years old – solid mouth 4 pairs

18. 7-8 year old – Solid mouth < 4 pairs

19. 10-11 year old broken mouth

20. 11+ years old“Gummer”

21. Jawabnormalities

22. Another way to tell how old a sheep is Lamb, > 12 months 2 break joints Yearling, 13-24 monthsspool and/or break joints Mature sheep, > 2 years 2 spool joints

24. Ear tags

25. Tattoos

26. Ear notches

27. Electronic ID

28. Temporary

29. Neck chains or collars

30. Paint brands

31. Paint sprays

33. Ear tagging basics Proper restraint Proper placement

35. Tag clean, dry ears

36. Tag when humidity is low.

37. Use smaller tag

38. Avoid metal tags

40. Dip in iodine

41. Soak ear tags in alcohol or another disinfectant before inserting.

44. Contact 4-H office

45. Scrapie ID

47. Registration tag

49. Affects central nervous system.

50. Animals over 18 months of age

51. Always fatal.

52. Member of a family of diseases called transmissible spongiform encephalopathy (TSEs).

53. Other TSEs

54. Mad cow disease

55. Chronic wasting disease

58. Few cases in goats in U.S.

59. A sheep’s genetics determines if it will get scrapie if it is exposed.

60. R gene - resistance

61. Q gene - susceptibility

63. Tattoo instead of ear tag A flock ID and individual animal number can take the place of an ear tag. A registration tattoo may also take the place of a tattoo if the animal accompanied by its registration paper.

65. The seller is required to tag the animal.

66. If the seller doesn’t provide a tag, tag the animal with another scrapie tag and record the seller’s name and address so you can prove the animal wasn’t born on your farm.

67. The sheep or goat loses its scrapie tag?