1. Using body condition scoring to evaluate animals
Alicia Pedemonti, MPH

2. 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”

3. 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!

4. 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

5. 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.

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

7. What questions are there?

8. Swine body condition scoring
Alicia Pedemonti, MPH

9. 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+).

10. How to evaluate

11. Points to palpate

12. 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

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

14. What questions are there?