Source: proAction
Body Condition Score (BCS) is a tool for determining if an animal is too thin, too fat or in ideal condition. BCS charts range from 1 (emaciated) to 5 (fat).
- Assess body condition of the animal to determine if the animal is:
- Too thin or requires corrective action (BCS ≤ 2)
- Acceptable (BCS >2)
- Two resources:
- BCS Flowchart in Figure 1. The grey cells highlight the parameter that has changed between scores
- Body Condition Scoring Chart in Figure 2
Figure 1: BCS Flowchart
Source: Vasseur E., J. Gibbons, J. Rushen, A. M. de Passillé, 2014. Development and implementation of a training program to ensure high repeatability of body condition score of dairy cows. J. Dairy Sci. 96:4725-4737.
Figure 2: Body Condition Scoring Chart – only showing Scores 2 and 3
Note: for a description of all 5 Body Condition Scores, please refer to Appendix E of the Code of Practice or to Appendix I of the Animal Care Reference Manual.
Source: excerpt from Appendix E of the Code of Practice for the Care and Handling of Dairy Cattle, 2009
