Using body condition scoring to evaluate animals Alicia Pedemonti, MPH

What is body condition scoring? BCS or Body Condition Score (Scoring) Quantitative method to estimate the distribution (and amount) of fat on an animal’s body BCS assigns a score to a particular body condition rather than using vague words such as “good,” “fair,” “bad,” or “poor”

How to assess bcs Some variations by species, but mostly the same How much fat over ribs, spine, hooks and pin, tail head, etc. Record it by animal part, not always uniform!

What does Body condition scoring tell you? Body condition affects productivity, reproduction, health, & longevity BC can be a clue to nutritional deficiencies, health problems, or improper herd management BCS can be used to troubleshoot problems and improve the health, longevity, and productivity

When can you use bcs? As a farmer or service provider, baseline for herd health/nutrition; monitor change How many animals of each BCS level do you have now? Track change.

When do I use body condition scoring? Veterinary technician for NH Department of Agriculture, Markets & Food Pork Quality Assurance Plus

What questions are there?

Swine body condition scoring Alicia Pedemonti, MPH

How many pigs should I assess? How many pigs do you have per production phase? On smaller farms, assess ALL animals. Larger farms, use this chart (part of PQA+).

How to evaluate

Points to palpate

Bcs and breeding Gestating gilts/sows should be at a BCS of 3-4 two weeks prior to farrowing Too thin- small or unthrifty piglets at birth, sow can’t produce enough milk Too fat- farrowing complications

What do I do next? For all pigs observed with BCS of 1, has pig received treatment? Isolate Diet change Parasite control

What questions are there?