Cage Cards

[Tulula]

hi
I just started using cage cards as my memory is not what it use to be and I was wondering what information is generally put on a cage card.
thanks
Jeanne

 

[AZChins]

I just put what chins are in the cage and the cage number. That way they don't completely destroy their records if they get to the card in the holder. I file the records for each chin under the cage number that the chin is in and keep the file box in a safe place. I will put other information on the cage card if it helps me to remember to give someone meds or when babies were born or need to be weaned. Also, I like to put on the rescue cage cards when they got here so I know at a glance.

I have seen people put information on when the chins should be expected to have babies, how many babies are in the cage, when a certain chin was placed in breeding with another chin, other miscellaneous dates for other things and information on if a chin is available for sale or is sick and needs meds, etc etc.

You can put what makes it easier on you to manage your herd and remember everything.

 

[Tulula]

Thanks Susan - that helps. I kind of figured it was a "whatever works for you" type thing. I have complete records on my computer, but I find that I am no longer readily able to remember kits birth dates.

 

[jags]

All breeders here have a card with their animal number, color, sire and dame. The sire and dames colors are also listed. All newborn and growing animals get a card with the same info as the breeders along with their birth date. I also tend to make different notes on the cards to help my old mind remember certain things about them.

 

[AZChins]

I used to put up the cards with their parents and colors and birthdates and numbers and such, but they would get a hold of them and shred them. If you use anything like that right on the cage, make sure that you have a back up system that is away from the chins. I lost some pedigree info years and years back when I put everything right on the cage...eventually I reconstructed it. Then I was told about using a book with all the information and keeping the originals all in a safe place.

Another thing that seems to help keep the card in place is to use a paper clip to hold the card in the holder. I do that, but I still have cage cards on the floor in the morning when I go in to see everyone.

I can't remember anyone's birth date either. The best I can do with the newer ones is remember the month they were born and the older ones I just roughly know the year because of their numbers.

 

[Twilight Chinchillas]

I have a small herd, so just put their names, and date of birth, and herd ID on those sticky labels, and slap then somewhere on the cage. I don't have wire cages so they can't get to them.

 

[threewingedfury]

These are the cage cards that I use. I print them out on card stock and they work great.

 

[Tulula]

Thanks for all the replies they are helpful. Tiffany thanks for the pdf that gives me ideas too.
Jeanne

 

[jags]

All our main records, all 20,000 plus animals, is in two of our computers. I do not trust all the records to cage cards for sure and do not even trust having them on only one computer. I do like the ability to know who is who and what they are out of though without making a trip to the computer each time. Our cage cards are paper clipped to the front of our feeders so the animals can not get at them.

 

[Ronda]

These are the cage cards that I use. I print them out on card stock and they work great.

This is pretty much what I use but I also have a place for their ear tag number, birth number and color I also mark the right hand corner with a K or S as soon as I create their card with the decision solely on their parents history. This indicates to myself to keep or sell that animal. Makes it a lot easier than checking my computer records when it comes to selling an animal. Of course it's not a fast rule to sell or keep, just an indication to check before selling.

I created my ID cards in Excel and can get 15 on the baby and male card and 6 front and back for the females. All the info on the breeding female goes on this card and also I keep a book to update my computer. Like others have mentioned - all originals are filed in the office. I've lost info in the beginning because of someone's curious little teeth too.

If you're interested in my Excel forms email me and I can send them to you.

Ronda

 

[Tulula]

Thanks Ronda - I just sent you an email.