Caisley Ear Tag Applicator
Product Details
Strong, rugged ear tag applicator installs Premier’s MiniTags as well as EID and DNA (Tissue) tags manufactured by Caisley. Lever-action hinge reduces effort needed when tagging uncooperative livestock.
Installs the following tags:
- MiniTags (for sheep and goats)
- MiniTag (840) EID Ear Tags
- Caisley USDA (840) EID Cattle Ear Tags
- Caisley USDA (840) EID Cattle Ear Tags with Tissue Collection Unit
For best results, apply an antibiotic, a fly repellent and/or a disinfectant to the ear tissue or tag prior to application.
Note: This item was previously called the MiniTag and DNA Ear Tag Applicator.

Specs
- 9-1/2" length x 1" wide
- Durable plastic handles with metal hinges
- Made by CAISLEY in Germany
How to Use
- Press the black clamp and slide the female part of the tag under the metal spring finger. The printed side of the female tag will be against the jaw of the applicator.
- Slide the male tag over the metal pin. Be sure to push it all the way onto the pin! The printed side of the male tag will be against the other jaw of the applicator.
- Ensure the male pin aligns with the female opening and both tags are fully seated. (Don't squeeze the applicator yet.)
- Place the ear between the jaws of the applicator. While gripping the ear, quickly and firmly squeeze the handles together until the male tag is inserted through the ear and into the female tag.
Tips
Tag placement is critical to success!
For maximum retention and the lowest risk of bleeding and infection, place ear tags in either of the two spots shown in the illustration below. The goal is about 2–3 inches from the head of the animal.Inserting Tags in Cold Weather
Plastic tags (all brands) are much easier to install if they are warm.As the temperature drops below freezing, plastic becomes less flexible and forcing the male point of a tag through the female takes more effort because the female side must expand.
So if you care about your hands, it’s a good idea to keep the tags above freezing in very cold weather. It takes very little to do this. One method is to store tags in a small bucket, cardboard box or tool box with a lid alongside a sealed pop bottle full of warm water. The warm water will keep both the air and the tags warmer in the container.
Precautions
Listed below are recommended optional components or related items. Your particular situation may require alternative recommendations. Please call and talk to our consultants if there are any questions at 800-282-6631.
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Ear Tags
MiniTag (yellow, pkg. 20)
Item #609200 -Reliable long-term ear tag for goats and small sheep breeds. Designed to last for the lifespan of the animal. Scrapie approved. FREE custom imprinting!
$12.00 -
Ear Tags
MiniTag (blue, pkg. 20), not scrapie approved
Item #609600 -Reliable long-term ear tag for goats and small sheep breeds. Designed to last for the lifespan of the animal. Scrapie approved. FREE custom imprinting!
$12.00 -
Ear Tags
MiniTag EID Ear Tags, pkg of 4 tags, yellow
Item #630124 -Official USDA 840 electronic identification (EID/RFID) ear tags for sheep and goats. Scrapie approved. FREE custom imprinting!
$7.50 -
Ear Tags
HDX Large Strip with Visual Pair, yellow, each
Item #630121 -Official EID 840-numbered customizable ear tag. Strip includes matching visual pair. USDA approved for cattle. Available in HDX and FDX.
$4.56 -
Equipment
SuperLube™, 8 oz
Item #550800 -An all-purpose antiseptic OB lubricant for lambing and kidding. Very useful if a lamb (or kid) goes dry during birth.
$6.00 -
Docking and Castrating
Pine Tar (squeezable bottle), 16 oz
Item #623200 -Cover wounds on sheep, goats, chickens and guardian dogs to repel flies and biting insects. Effective for several days after application.
$16.00 -
Docking and Castrating
Catron® IV, 10 oz spray can
Item #888147 -Used for treating sheep with fly-strike and as a preventative after docking, castrating or ear tagging. 10 oz spray can.
$12.00
Write a Review
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Annie P from Oreogn
Very easy to use and perfect size for my hands (I have huge hands so sometimes smaller applicators are difficult due to pinching). Very pleased.
Blain K from Connecticut
Quality and priced right for a tagger that takes several different sizes.
Bruce K from Wyoming
Tagger works well enough, but the handles are way too far apart to be comfortable and the square corners on the handles are hard on your hands after more than a few. We did 430 ewes one morning and my son's hand was complaining. Mini tags are supposed to be compatible with the Pro tagger but we didn't try it.
Leslie D from Montana
We just tagged about 20 doelings with these taggers and the Mini Tags. They are heavy-duty and seem to be well-made. I thought the tags were easy to put into the tagger and stayed put well until I was ready to apply the tags. You have to push the male end onto the post all the way, which is easy to do but I saw some other reviews that said they had trouble with the tags falling off - it doesn’t happen if you push the tag on all the way. They are a bit large if you have very small hands, but I had no problems squeezing the plier - they close smoothly. They also release the tag well, which is not the case with my Y-Tex tagger.
Larry K from Georgia
Very sturdy and made to last for generations.