Scoring is normally carried out according to a standard technique which is well understood within a community of livestock keepers, vets, or livestock advisers. This provides a reasonably objective measure so that comparisons can be made between flocks and, over time, between years. Different species have a range of different ways of condition scoring. Optimal body condition also varies according to breed type and the stage of the breeding cycle, as well as with management expectations. For example, in Europe the optimum condition for hill or mountain sheep tends to be slightly lower throughout the year than lowland sheep, since a majority will only be expected to have a single lamb, whereas the management of lowland sheep will tend towards the production of twins - and must be in better "condition".

Body condition scoring is largely an index of the amount of muscle and degree of fatness of the animal.

Body condition scoring methods have been developed for horses, cows, sheep, goats, and chickens. They are used for evaluating the adequacy of previous feed supply, determining future feed requirements, assessing the health status of individual animals, and establishing the condition of animals during routine animal management. Condition scores are also useful during assessment of animal welfare.

Body condition scoring needs to be approached in a systematic manner. Systems have been developed based on an index of either 1 to 9, or 1 to 5. In each case a score of 1 is used to describe animals that are extremely emaciated, and the maximum score of 5 or 9 describes animals that are very fat or obese (extreme examples may even have difficulty walking).

Condition Scoring of Sheep

Many of the poor health conditions that sheep suffer from tend to hinder their grazing or impair their digestion. This can result in rapid weight loss. However, simply looking at a sheep does not normally provide enough information for assessment of condition. Condition scoring is a simple method of assessing the condition of sheep by placing the hand over the backbone in the area just behind the rib cage. Scoring is done on a scale of 1 to 5, where 1 is emaciated (extremely thin), and 5 is very fat.

Condition Scoring in Goats

Goat producers need to be concerned with body condition in both males and females. A good body condition can make a significant difference and result in higher levels of reproduction. Nannies that are too fat may not get bred at all. Nannies that are too thin may experience low twinning rates, low weaning weights and general reproductive failure. The best way to prevent over or under conditioned breeding animals is to use a body condition scoring method on a regular basis as a means of monitoring the overall health of the flock, and identifying "at risk" individuals.

Assessment of Conditions in Chickens

Condition scoring of poultry is generally less used than for example scoring of sheep, goats and pigs. However, practical scoring systems do exist, and that described here is adapted from a body condition scoring system for layer hens. General behavioural and physical observations also allow the livestock keeper to assess the state of health of a flock or of individual birds.

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scoring of chickens