Ear notching is a method of identification commonly used for which animals?

• A. Hogs
• B. Cattle
• C. Sheep
• D. Poultry

Answer: (A)

Notching the ears is a permanent identification method most commonly used in hogs. Pigs’ ears are notched in specific patterns early in life to create a code that identifies both the litter they came from and the individual pig. Because the marks are cut into the ear cartilage, they’re durable and readable even as the animal grows and goes through many handling steps. This makes ear notching practical for managing large numbers of pigs without relying on tags or devices that can be lost. Other species typically use different identification methods—ear tags, tattoos, brands, or leg/wing bands—so ear notching is especially associated with hogs.