We dragged the goats away from their branches today (not literally by the way) to tag a few ears. The rules on tagging are quite complex but also quite strict. Essentially all goats must have two forms of ID: most owners put a tag in each ear as this is what is asked for, but some use the pastern tag on a leg, although we read mixed reviews about how successful this method is! As Onion's ear shows however, tags get ripped out and can leave horrid injuries. This summer has been a bad summer for animals losing tags and so we have been replacing a lot as well as tagging this year's kids and lambs!!
We hate doing it because it hurts the animal, albeit briefly, it ruins their looks (not sure they care but we do) and we know that some will get pulled out as the goats in particular stick their heads in bushes and through fences.
But legally we need to comply, so we do!!!