Six days after the donor is mated she undergoes an operation to flush out the uterus to obtain the fertile embryos. These are examined under a microscope and the suitable ones implanted by a similar operation in the recipient. Ear Marking Selective breeders ear mark kids at a few days old usually by tattooing which is a permanent marker. Most tattooing instruments consist of a series of small spikes in the shape of a number. This is pressed onto the ear and then a dye is rubbed into the holes.
Ear tattooing is a pre-requisite for registering goats with the two main breed societies.
If males are not to be used for breeding their are usually castrated using the rubber ring method. This involves placing a thick rubber ring over the scrotum within one week of birth and left in place at the base. The scrotum will shrink, die and drop off after a few weeks. If the kids are wanted for breeding they are left entire until their potential can be assessed. They can then be castrated surgically which involves slitting open the scrotum and removing the testes.