BODY CONDITION SCORE (Angora Goat)
By Dr Mackie Hobson BSc(Agric),BVSc

1. Procedures and Protocols

Body Conditions Scoring (BCS) is not an exact science but provides useful information on nutrition, reproduction and health. Angora goats tend to deposit fat more intra-abdominally than sheep so will score at least 0.5 less than a sheep on the same nutritional plane and health status.

• To BCS feel the spine between the last ribs and the pelvic bone.

• Place thumb on the midline(spine) and feel the spinous process (feel the vertebra)
• With your 4 fingers feel the ‘short ribs’ (Horizontal spinous process)
• The loin muscle lies between the vertebra(thumb) and short ribs (4 fingers)

BCS of 1 (very thin): Measures must be taken to address and nutritionally support the goat.

Check for underlying issues such as worn teeth, age, roundworms, coccidiosis and ill health.

Ideal BCS (Reproduction)

Mating: 3-3.5 (min 2.5)

Mid Pregnancy: 2.5

Kidding: 3

Lactation: 2.5 -2

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