BCS scores Flashcards
What BCS score is this sheep? What would it feel like?
Score 1
* Vertical and horizontal processes are prominent and sharp
* Fingers can be pushed easily below the transverse processes
* Each process can be felt
* Loin is thin with no fat cover
What BCS score is this sheep? What would it feel like?
Score 2
* Vertical processes are prominent but smooth. Individual processes can only be felt as corrugations.
* Transverse processes are smooth and rounded, but it is still possible to press fingers under.
* Loin muscle is a moderate depth but little fat cover.
What BCS score is this sheep? What would it feel like?
Score 3
* Vertical processes are smooth and rounded; bone is only felt with pressure
* Horizontal processes are also smooth and well-covered. Hard pressure is required with fingers to find the ends.
* Loin muscle is full with a moderate fat cover.
What BCS score is this sheep? What would it feel like?
Score 4
* Vertical processes are only detectable as a line
* Ends of horizontal processes cannot be felt
* Loin mucles are full and rounded, with a thick covering of fat
What BCS score is this sheep? What would it feel like?
Score 5
* The vertical and transverse processes cannot be detected even with pressure; there is a dimple in the fat layers where the processes should be
* The loin muscles are very full and covered with very thick fat
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Which points should you assess when body condition scoring a dairy cow?
- Assess the angle between the hooks and pins (V or U)
- Assess whether the hooks are rounded or angular OR assess the visibility of tail ligaments and the tail head
- Evaluate the pins and palpate them
- Assess rib visibility in relation to the spine
What score would you give this cow?
What score would you give this cow?
What score would you give this cow?
What score would you give this cow?
What score would you give this cow?
What score would you give this cow?
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What score would you give this cow?
What score would you give this cow?
What score would you give this cow?
What score would you give this cow?
What score would you give this cow?
What score would you give this cow?
BCS 1
- Tail head - deep cavity with no fatty tissue under skin.
- Loin - spine prominent and horizontal processes sharp.
- Skin fairly supple but coat condition often rough
What score would you give this cow?
BCS 1
- Tail head - deep cavity with no fatty tissue under skin.
- Loin - spine prominent and horizontal processes sharp.
- Skin fairly supple but coat condition often rough
What score would you give this cow?
BCS 1.5
What score would you give this cow?
BCS 1.5
What score would you give this cow?
BCS 2
- Tail head - shallow cavity but pin bones prominent; some fat under skin.
- Loin - horizontal processes can be identified individually with ends rounded. Skin supple
What score would you give this cow?
BCS 2.5
What score would you give this cow?
BCS 2.5
What score would you give this cow?
BCS 3.0
- Loin - end of horizontal process can only be felt with pressure; only slight depression in loin.
- Tail head - fat cover over whole area and skin smooth but pelvis can be felt
What score would you give this cow?
BCS 3.5
What score would you give this cow?
BCS 3.5
What score would you give this cow?
BCS 4
- Tail head - completely filled and folds and patches of fat evident.
- Loin - cannot feel processes and will have completely rounded appearance.
What score would you give this cow?
BCS 4
- Tail head - completely filled and folds and patches of fat evident.
- Loin - cannot feel processes and will have completely rounded appearance.
What score would you give this cow?
BCS 5
- Tail head - buried in fatty tissue.
- Pelvis - impalpable even with firm pressure in loin
What score would you give this cow?
BCS 5
- Tail head - buried in fatty tissue.
- Pelvis - impalpable even with firm pressure in loin
