Body Condition Scoring

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Effect of Body Condition on Rebreeding

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BCS1
No photos available.
1. Bone structure of shoulder, ribs, back, hooks and pins is sharp to the touch and easily visible. Little evidence of fat deposits or muscling.

BCS 2
No photos available.
2. Little evidence of fat deposition but some muscling in the hindquarters. The spinous processes feel sharp to the touch and are easily seen with space between them.

BCS 3
Beginning of fat cover over the loin, back, and foreribs. The backbone is still highly visible. Processes of the spine can be identified individually by touch and may still be visible. Spaces between the processes are less pronounced.

BCS 4
Foreribs are not noticeable but the 12th and 13th ribs are still noticeable to the eye, particularly cattle with abig springof rib and width between ribs. The transverse spinous processes can be identified only by palpation (with slight pressure) and feel rounded rather than sharp. Full, but straight muscling in the hindquarters.

BCS 5
The 12th and 13th ribs are not visible to the eye unless the animal has been shrunk. The transerse spinous processes can only be felt with firm pressure and feel rounded but are not noticeble to the eye. Spaces between the processes are not visible and are only distinguishable with firm pressure.Areas on each side of the tail head are well filled but not mounded.

BCS 6
Ribs are fully covered and are not noticeable to the eye. Hindquarters are plump and full. Noiceable sponginess over the foreribs and on each side of the tail head. Firm pressure is now required to feel the transverse processes.

BCS 7
Ends of the spinous processes can only be felt with firm pressure. Spaces between processes can barely be distinguished. Abundant fat cover on either side of the tail head with evident patchiness.

BCS 8
Animal takes on a smooth, blocky appearance. Bone structure disappears from sight. Fat cover is thick and spongy and patchiness is likely.

BCS 9
Bone structure is not seen or easily felt. The tail head is buried in fat. The animal’s mobility may actually be impaired by excessive fat.