Some must be asking why a rabbit need tattoo. Every pedigree rabbit shall be tattoo. This will serve as the identity of the rabbit and the ear number should also match the ear number stated in the pedigree. As for the ARBA show, all rabbit must be tattoo at their left ear.
The next question is how do we tattoo a rabbit? Basically they are two general type of tattoo kit that we can use, clamp and tattoo pen. What is their difference? I have glanced through some of the discussion board and my own experience, below are some point that you may want to consider when choosing the right tattoo kit for your rabbit:-
- Clamp tattoo kit is quick and easy as it needs only one time punch to make the tattoo but tattoo pen takes more time as the words need to be written on the ear by the needle.
- Clamp tattoo is more painful to the bunny but it’s in very short term (just like when you punch your earing hole). It needs to be used very carefully. From my experience, if clamp tattoo is not handled well, it may cause the rabbit to struggle and break it backbones, and die. However, this can be better prevented by using Restraint.
Tattoo pen create much lesser pain but over the slightly longer time. - Clamp tattoo comes in various sizes. The dwarf, especially Netherland Dwarf, with tiny ear (eg. those with 1 ¾ inches) may only be able to use the smallest size clamp while one tattoo pen can use for all type of rabbit the size depends on your handwriting.
- One should be caution on pinching the nerves around the ear of the rabbit, especially Netherland Dwarf with tiny ear, when using a clamp as it may be harder to avoid the nerve due to the fixed sized of the wording. While using a pen, this problem can be avoid due to the flexibility on the writing.
- Clarity – If you ask the rabbit judge, some will tell you they like tattoo pen as long as the person has decent hand writing. As you are writing when using tattoo pen, the words will be clearer than a dotted line created using clamp tattoo kit.
- Some rabbitry (like mine), I do keep both whereby I will use the clamp tattoo kit to do the initial tattoo. And if there is any touch up required in future, I will use the tattoo pen to do the touch up. This is because double clamp on the ear will cause the words to be even blur and hard to read. A rabbit will be considered disqualified under the ARBA if the tattoo is not clear enough to read.
- Clamp is easier to use for beginner. Another way of suggestion may be to start with using a clamp tattoo kit. When you are better in tattooing, then switch to a tattoo pen.
- One of the best tattoo pen recommended by most of the breeder in US is Inkinator and EZ Tatt.
- When you choose the clamp tattoo kit, make sure you choose one with rubber on the opposing surface rather than an awful foam pad. This will make the tattoo much easier.
- For those who are left handed, a tattoo pen maybe harder to use compared to clamp as the tattoo pen is designed to fit those with right handed. However, some small adjustment can always be made to suit it if that is the preference. But this is all very personal. Some left handed person will still find tattoo pen is easier than clamp.
Hope you will find the above comments useful if you are currently choosing which to use.
B Berry Rabbitry
~With love we breed~
All the above are only meant for information sharing and shall not bear any liability.
