LPM 222: Diversified poultry production and current concepts in poultry management and marketing [Livestock Production Management (Regional Interest)] (1+1)

IDENTIFICATION OF EMU

• Identification is important for record keeping and protection against theft.
• Chick can be microchipped, branded, leg banded or tattooed at first day of age. Microchip identification systems are commonly used.
• At hatch, microchips are inserted in the pipping muscle just behind the head with an implant gun and needle. The code in the microchip is read by a device called a microchip reader costing around 50 to 60 thousand rupees.
• Each brand of microchip requires its own reader. The chips cost about Rs. 500 each and come in packs of 50. The brand can be placed on the bare patch of the belly immediately behind the thigh.
• A thin wire can be formed into the identifying numerals or letters, heated red-hot and touched to the skin to create a permanent mark. Numbered leg bands, available in a variety of colours, are used for identification and usually are placed around the ankle.
• Tattooing as a means of permanent identification also has been used successfully.

Fig. 30. 4. A microchip