Body Condition Scoring (BCS) In farm Animals
𝗕𝗼𝗱𝘆 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗱𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗦𝗰𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴:
Body condition score is an indicator of how well the animal maintains energy reserves, reflective of the relationship between nutrition and milk production in a herd.
There are two scales 1-5 and 1-9. 1-5 is mostly used for dairy animals and 1-9 for beef animals.
Ideal Body Condition Score by stage of lactation:
At Calving: 3-3.5
At early lactation: 3
Mid lactation: 3-3.5
Late lactation: 3.5-4
Drying off: It is not recommended to put over-conditioned cows on a diet at dry-off due to the risk of fatty liver. It is inefficient but acceptable to put body condition on during the dry period if it is needed to achieve a BCS of 3.5 (5-point scale). Total body weight should increase during the dry period regardless of body condition because the calf developing inside the cow will gain 45 to 68 grams per day.
Source-Dr. Chandrakiran Sant, Dairy Consultant,Pune
