How to Identify Waddle Cattle

Waddling is the method for cutting a flap of skin from a cow to form a distinctive notch and hanging piece of skin visible even during the winter, when the cow's fur grows longer. The placement and the shape of the notch indicate to whom the cattle belongs. Identifying waddle cattle is one step to help determine ownership of a given cattle.

Things You'll Need

  • Binoculars (optional)
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Instructions

    • 1

      View the cattle through a pair of binoculars if you cannot get closer.

    • 2

      Inspect the cattle's neck underneath its chin. Waddling typically uses the loose skin at the animal's neck, producing a hanging flap. An animal that has not gone through the waddling process will have a straight line with no hanging flesh.

    • 3

      Look for other marks as well. Waddling is often used along with other methods of identification, including branding and ear notching.