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Body Condition Scoring Chart

LABELLED ILLUSTRATION OF A DAIRY COW

Illustration of a Dairy Cow with a BCS score of 3.

Body Condition Scores for Dairy Cows

Overview of all the body condition scores for Dairy Cows

BCS 1

SHORT RIBS:

• Ends sharp to touch
• Loin prominent, shelf-like appearance
• Obvious scalloping over top and ends

BACKBONE:

• Vertebrae prominent in chine, loin and rump area
• Individual bones easily visible

HOOK AND PIN BONES:

• Sharply defined, very angular in appearance
• No discernable fat pad

THURL (area over pelvis):

• Severe “V shaped” depression without fat cover

TAIL HEAD:

• Sunken and hollow on either side of tail head with obvious folds of skin
• Ligaments connecting pin bones to spine are sharply defined
• Vulva prominent.

BCS 2

SHORT RIBS:

• Ends not as prominent as BCS 1, but can be felt
• Edges easily felt, with slight fat cover, and slightly more rounded appearance
• Overhanging shelf effect less apparent

BACKBONE:

• Vertebrae in chine, loin and rump area, less visually distinct
• Easily feel individual vertebrae

HOOK AND PIN BONES:

• Bones still prominent, angular
• No fat pad palpable

THURL (area over pelvis):

• Less severe “V shaped” depression
• Little tissue cover

TAIL HEAD:

• Both sides of the tail head are sunken and hollow
• Sharply defined ligaments connecting pin bones to spine

BCS 3

SHORT RIBS:

• Ends can be felt with moderate pressure
• Ribs appear smooth without noticeable scalloping
• Overhanging shelf effect much less apparent

BACKBONE:

• Vertebrae in chine, loin and rump area appear rounded
• Backbone visible, but individual vertebrae not distinct

HOOK AND PIN BONES:

• Visible, but smooth, with rounded appearance
• Fat pad palpable

THURL (area over pelvis):

• Forms “U shaped” depression

TAIL HEAD:

• Both sides of tail head somewhat hollow, but skin folds not distinct
• Ligaments connecting pin bones to spine are rounded in appearance

BCS 4

SHORT RIBS:

• Individual rib ends not visible, only felt with firm pressure
• Overhanging shelf effect slight, barely visible

BACKBONE:

• Vertebrae in chine rounded, smooth
• Loin and rump areas appear flat

HOOK AND PIN BONES:

• Rounded, with obvious fat covering

THURL (area over pelvis):

• Area between hooks and pins almost flat
• Pelvic bone only felt with firm pressure

TAIL HEAD:

• Sides of tail head not hollow, no skin folds
• Some fat deposit palpable

BCS 5

SHORT RIBS:

• Ends can’t be seen or felt
• No overhanging shelf effect

BACKBONE:

• Vertebrae in chine, loin and rump not visible
• Difficult to feel individual vertebrae

HOOK AND PIN BONES:

• Very round, buried (almost disappearing) in fat tissue

THURL (area over pelvis):

• Appears flat
• Filled in between the hooks and pins

TAIL HEAD:

• Hollow filled in
• Areas on both sides of tail head buried in fat tissue

Adapted from What's the Score? Body Condition Scoring for Livestock CD-ROM

CD 400/40-1_with permission of Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development. www.agriculture.alberta.ca

Copies of the CD can be ordered on-line at: http://www1.agric.gov.ab.ca/$department/deptdocs.nsf/all/agdex9622