Livestock Farm Practice

COLOURS AND MARKINGS

• Colours and markings are generally used to identify and certify the animal and also to find out the breed. Breed has a great effect on colour and markings (E.g. Holstein Friesian).Colour is more marked when selection for colour is made. Identification of animals can be done by the following ways based on
  • Natural colours and markings which are permanent and hereditary in nature.
  • Adventitious/acquired markings which are permanent but not congenital (e.g. surgical and injury scars, permanent bandage marks, collar marks etc.).
  • Artificial markings made on the animal to identify the individual animal accurately and quite easily.