Nowadays, sheep are marked with colorful coat paint and an earring.

Under the 2004 Regulation, all sheep for trade in the European Union must have two earrings, one of which (in the left ear) should contain an electronic identifier (chip). Animals intended for trade in Poland should have one ordinary earring (in the right auricle). Earrings for sheep are made of plastic, 45x38 mm) are bright (orange) with a clear laser printed number. Earrings have a metal stud enabling quick and safe piercing of a sheep's ear.