What's the Score
Body Condition Scoring (BCS) in Sheep
Body Condition Scoring (BCS) in Sheep
Whether we breed for pets, vineyards or meat, we should be aware of the body condition of our sheep throughout their lives. Although weight is often the best indicator, not everyone has easy access to scales, and there is often a wide variation between sizes of individuals. Body condition scoring, is a convenient and much more accurate way to describe a sheep, than eye appraisal. Although it’s very easy to pick an emaciated or obese sheep, it’s not as easy to assess those in-between, by just looking at them. Likewise if someone tells me a Babydoll weighs 55kg, I have no idea, what that looks like, unless they tell me the age of the sheep, it’s height, its status, as in pregnant, ram or wether. If someone tells me a Babydoll is BCS 3, I know that sheep is in the ideal condition. The only thing that would affect that, would be if the sheep was a ewe and she is in mid to late pregnancy. Then I would like to see her a little heavier, as in a 3.5 - 4.
So, how do we body score?
We put our hands on them and feel for fat levels. This has to be evaluated using key anatomical parts of the body and the diagrams below will explain what to look for and how to position the hands.
Body Condition Score 1 - Emaciated
Body Condition Score 1 - Emaciated
Spinous processes are sharp and prominent. Loin eye muscleis shallow with no fat cover. Transverse processes are sharp; one can pass fingers under the ends. It is possible to feel between each process.
Body Score Condition 2 - Thin
Body Score Condition 2 - Thin
Spinous processes are sharp and prominent. Loin eye muscle has little fat cover but is full. Transverse processes are smooth and slightly rounded. It is possible to pass fingers under the ends of the transverse processes with a little pressure.
Body Condition Score 3 - Average
Body Condition Score 3 - Average
Spinous processes are smooth and rounded and one can feel individual processes only with pressure. Transverse processes are smooth and well covered, and firm pressure is needed to feel over the ends. Loin eye muscle is full with some fat cover.
Body Condiditon Score 4 - Fat
Body Condiditon Score 4 - Fat
Spinous processes can be detected only with pressure as a hard line. Transverse processes cannot be felt. Loin eye muscle is full with a thick fat cover.
Diagrams & descriptions courtesy of Oregon State University.
Body Condition Score 5 - Obese
Body Condition Score 5 - Obese
Spinous processes cannot be detected. There is a depression between fat where spine would normally be felt. Transverse processes cannot be detected. Loin eye muscle is very full with a very thick fat cover.