Determining Age of an animal

DETERMINING  AGE OF AN ANIMAL

Determining age of the animal is important while purchasing a new animal since the information provided by the seller may not always be reliable.

DETERMINING AGE BY DENTITION

At birth to one month, two or more temporary incisor teeth are present. By first month all 8 temporary incisors appear.

  • The  central pair of  temporary incisors are replaced by permanent ones which attains full growth by 2 years (thin arrows).
  • The  third  permanent incisor erupts at around 30 months of age (thick arrow)
  • The fourth permanent incisors erupt after 30 months.
  • The second pair of incisors is fully developed at 3 years.
  • By  the 4-5 years the animal has a full set of permanent incisors. (In buffaloes by 5-6 years)
  • By the sixth year, the central incisor shows wear and leveled top.
  • The wearing progresses steadily after the sixth year and by the tenth year, all the incisors show significant wear and space in between them.

DETERMINING AGE BY HORN RINGS

  • This is not a good guide and may give only a very rough idea. The first horn ring appears at 10-12 months. One ring is added approximately in a year. But at the fifth year, the first three rings may not be visible and after 8 years, none may be visible.

                                             Determine the age of animal before purchase