Clear Creek Farms

BODY CONDITION
SCORING CHART

Body Condition Score

Visial Observation

Comments

1	Extremely thin.	Extremely thin and weak, near death.
2	Extremely thin.	Extremely thin but not weak.
3	Very thin.	All ribs visible. Spine prominent and very sharp. No fat cover felt with some muscle wasting.
4	Slightly thin.	Most ribs visible. Spine sharp. Slight fat cover can be felt.
5	Moderate	Spine felt but are smooth. Some fat cover felt.
6	Good	Smooth look with ribs not very visible. Spine smooth and round. Significant fat cover felt.
7	Fat	Ribs not visible, spine felt under firm pressure.
8	Obese	Animal is very fat with spine difficult to feel. Ribs can not be felt. Animal has blocky, obese appearance.
9	Extremely obese	Similar to an eight but more exaggerated. Animal has deep patchy fat over entire body.

Summary:

Thin 1 to 3

Moderate 4 to 6

Fat 7 to 9

Recommendations:

End of pregnancy 5 to 6

Start of breeding season 5 to 6

Animals should never have a body condition score of 1 to 3

Pregnant does should not have a body condition score of 7 or above toward the end of pregnancy because of the risk of pregnancy toxemia

A body condition score of 5 to 6 at kidding should not drop off too quickly

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