Explanation of the body condition scale for dairy cattle, including numerous pictures of cows at different scores.
Animations in the presentation can be viewed by downloading the file.
1. Beginner’s Guide
to Body Condition
Scoring
A Tool for Dairy Herd
Management
Web Presentation
Updated July, 2004
2. Using body condition scoring to fine tune
herd nutrition and health management
has become a widely accepted practice.
This presentation is designed to
Introduce you to body condition scoring
Provide examples of cows scored 1 to 5
3. Evaluating Body Condition vs. Type
Type evaluation
(classification, judging)
compares animals to the
“ideal” conformation
Body condition scoring
considers the relative
fatness or thinness of
animals
4. Goals of Body Condition
Scoring
Early detection of potential health
problems
Identify areas for improved feeding
management
Improve herd health, production,
reproduction, profitability
5. Body Condition Scoring
Visual and tactile evaluation of body fat
reserves
Indication of energy balance
Scale of 1 to 5, increments of 0.25
Body Condition Score = BCS
BCS 1 = emaciated cow (too thin)
BCS 3 = average body condition
BCS 5 = excessively fat cow
6. Areas to Evaluate
Rump / Pelvic Area
Tailhead
Hooks
Pins
Thurl
Loin
Short ribs
Spine
7. Side View Rear View
Short Ribs
Hooks
Pins
Sacral Ligament
Thurl Hooks
Tailhead Ligament
Thurl
Pins
8. (Spinous Process)
If an animal is grossly fat, the bone
structure cannot be seen or felt
through the fat. In thin animals, the
(Short Ribs)
bone structures are very prominent.
9. Step-by-Step Process
See “Learn to Score Body Condition”
presentation from Penn State
Not a perfect science
Scores should be similar (± 0.25)
When measured on one animal or
When measured by different people
Separates average condition from extremes
11. Examples of Scores
Presented to help you see the major differences –
for a more detailed system of scoring, see
“Learn to Score Body Condition”
12. BCS 1: Severely Under-conditioned
Side view
Bones of tailhead easy to see
Prominent backbone
Tips of short ribs are clearly visible
Hooks, thurl, and pins very prominent
Photo Not Available
13. BCS 1
Rear view All boney
prominences easily
visible
Hooks, pins, spine, &
ribs very sharp
Photo Not Available
Deep cavities around
tailhead
Thin legs, poor
muscle condition
14. BCS 2: Severe Negative Energy Balance
Tailhead prominent, limited skin cover
Prominent backbone
Limited skin cover on short ribs. From tip
to spine, short ribs are visible ¾ of the
distance
Angular hooks and pins with prominent
thurl
15. BCS 2
Hooks, pins, &
thurl prominent
Tailhead area
somewhat hollow,
but has modest
covering of flesh
16. BCS 2.75: Slightly Thin
Visible backbone
Tip of short ribs smooth, but visible
Hooks angular, but pins padded by fat
V-angle formed between hooks, thurl, and
pins
17. BCS 2.75
Hooks angular, but
pins more rounded or
padded with fat
Hollow below tailhead
compared to a BCS 3
18. BCS 3: Good Condition
More flesh covering backbone
Tip of short ribs smooth
Hooks and pins rounded and smooth
V-angle formed between hooks, thurl, and
pins
19. BCS 3
Hooks and pins
rounded
No deep
depressions or fat
deposits around
tailhead
20. BCS 3.25: Slightly Fleshy
More flesh covering backbone
Tip of short ribs very smooth
Hooks and pins more rounded and
smooth
U-angle formed between hooks, thurl, and
pins
22. BCS 4: Over-conditioned
Backbone barely visible
Short ribs very smooth, tips barely visible
Hooks and pins very smooth, but visible
Flat between hooks and pins
23. BCS 4
Hooks & pins rounded,
but visible
Rump and thurl flat
Sacral and tailhead
ligaments not visible
24. BCS 5: Severely Over-conditioned
Backbone not visible
Short ribs flat, bones not visible
Hooks and pins not visible
Flat over rump and tailhead
25. BCS 5
All boney
prominences rounded
and covered in fat
Tailhead buried in fat
Fat deposits readily
seen on rump and
legs
26. Summary
The body condition scoring scale
Under-conditioned cows = BCS 1
Over-conditioned cows = BCS 5
Determining a cow's BCS
Look at pelvic area and loin
Fat deposits become evident cow is over
conditioned
Bone structures become prominent cow is thin
Notas del editor
Score 3 is used for cows in good condition. This is a result of proper attention given to ration formulation, monitoring cows for changes in bodyweight, and making ration adjustments when necessary.