# AnimalTrakker® Database Overview The AnimalTrakker® Database is designed to handle multiple species across a variety of farm and [[AnimalTrakker® Registry Desktop Overview|registry]] needs. If there's something you'd like to track in your flock, our goal is to bring that to the database as a tracking or reporting metric. A metric that many flock owners like to track their animals by is birthing ease. Imagine that you want to cull ewes from your flock with birthing ease as the main variable. Making mental notes during lambing season is one way to do it, but not a reliable one. The AnimalTrakker® Database allows you to record the lambing ease of an ewe with each lambing. As long as you record these values, you can use them later to generate reports and cull flock members that fall below a certain threshold. In theory, this will allow you to increase the overall lambing ease of your flock over time, all with very little extra effort required. Another scenario where this data can become massively handy is in disease testing. In times of outbreak, federal, state, and local veterinarians have vested interests in tracking disease transmission between livestock in a geographic area. The AnimalTrakker® Database allows the ranch owner to track tests performed, negative and positive results, livestock movements, and other variables that may be useful to these officials. The system also allows you to tie test samples to animals directly in the database, allowing a veterinarian to upload your results to AnimalTrakker® with minimal extra labor. ## How Does the AnimalTrakker® Database Work? The AnimalTrakker® Database is the foundation of all of our [[AnimalTrakker® System|AnimalTrakker® systems]]. While the contents of the database will vary depending on the programs you use, the structure itself is always the same. We use SQLite for maximum system portability, ease of [[Sending AnimalTrakker® Data|file transfers]] and [[AnimalTrakker® Database Backup Recommended Practices|backups]], and quick file movements between systems. The design is such that just by [[Loading a New AnimalTrakker® Database|opening a different database file]], you can begin operating with a completely different registry, farm, or species. There's no limit to how many different database files you can create, but it's up to you to keep track of these files. In the AnimalTrakker® Database, records are not deleted, and writing happens less often than reading. Therefore, it doesn't matter that SQLite is single-threaded for writing. SQLite can handle relatively large and complex databases. Because the SQLite structure is a single file, transfers between different operating systems and machines becomes relatively straightforward. We don't expect AnimalTrakker®'s Database size to grow too large. [[Start Here|AnimalTrakker®]] should be able to handle databases with less than 500,000 total animals with ease. The system may be able to handle more than that. The theoretical upper limit of a SQLite database is over 281 TB, but in practice, the maximum file size of the host operating system is the real limit. For Windows 11, the maximum file size is 16 EB minus 1 KB. For Macintosh and Linux systems, the maximum file size is 8 EB or 8388608 TB. ## AnimalTrakker® Data: Your Role With AnimalTrakker®, you're always [[AnimalTrakker® Philosophy|in charge of your own data]]. Your AnimalTrakker® Database is stored on your physical device and nowhere else (unless you choose to move it elsewhere). For example, if you choose to [[Saving Your AnimalTrakker® Database on Google Drive|backup your databases up via Google Drive]], that data will also be located in the Google cloud; however, it's entirely your choice to store it there or elsewhere. AnimalTrakker® will never move your data there (or anywhere else) without your direction. Part of our commitment at AnimalTrakker® is to make sure you know who has access to your data at all times. By default, the only person who does is **you**. We believe this gives our users the best of both worlds: the ability to stay cloud-free and maximize security, or the choice to use the cloud for added convenience if they so choose. This also means that you are responsible for maintaining backups and working with the most recent copy of your data. ## AnimalTrakker® Electronic Identification While AnimalTrakker® can interface with EID systems that make it much more efficient, it [[AnimalTrakker® FAQs#Do I Need EID Tag Readers to Use AnimalTrakker®?|doesn't need an EID scanner]] to function. It does, however, require some sort of animal ID system. You can even enter tags by hand if you don't have a scanner or if your scanner stops working. FCC rules prevent us from selling homemade EID readers that are not FCC-examined and approved. We can, however, teach you how to [make your own](https://gitlab.com/OogieM/sheep_eid_hw) and provide construction plans. Any ham radio operator can build the reader easily with the technical knowledge they have. If you'd prefer not to build your own EID reader, we have a list of affordable scanners that are appropriate for small farms. **Our current recommendation:** [Destron Fearing](https://www.valleyvet.com/ct_detail.html?pgguid=C69821FC-8041-4CC8-A8FC-CABF08C5D15C) Global Pocket Reader Plus (GPR+) Universal Microchip Scanner (~$520). Affordable for small farms, easy to use and set up. **Alternative option:** [Allflex LPR reader](https://www.cattletags.com/products/allflex-lpr-reader?variant=36700374925466) (~$350). Has some issues, but cheap and FCC-approved. Unfortunately discontinued as of 2025, but still a good option if you can find new old stock or a used model. It's been replaced with the [Allflex APR250](https://www.valleyvet.com/ct_detail.html?pgguid=5fc6f3b4-d126-4b91-bf60-3c6402a100d6), which is more expensive but looks to be more robust. We have not yet tested this reader with our system. You can find [[Suggested AnimalTrakker® Hardware#EID Readers|more options for EID readers here]].