"Body condition scoring (BCS) is a simple, fast method of assessing the overall condition, or the thinness or fatness, of your goats. It provides an indication of available fat reserves that can be used by the animal in periods of high energy demand, stress, or suboptimal nutrition and allows producers to make better management decisions" according to Langston University.
"Goats should be maintained with a moderate amount of body condition. When overall body condition starts to decrease in the herd and goats become too thin (under-conditioned), it is a sign that managerial intervention is needed such as supplemental feeding, deworming, pasture rotation, etc. Conversely, when overall body condition starts to increase in the herd and animals carry too much fat (over-conditioned), it is a sign that the producer should reduce supplemental feeding."
Langston warns that "Ignoring an animal’s body condition and waiting to intervene until goats become either too thin or too fat may result in production and(or) animal losses or decreased profits from overfeeding. "
The University recommends producers' develop skills in assessing body condition of their goats and suggests evaluating the BCS of an animal will only take about 10-15 seconds if you practice. Langston concludes "adding BCS as a regular part of your management program" will allow you to more "effectively monitor your feeding and herd health program for a healthy and productive herd. "
For a video on how to body score goats, go to:
Beginning Farmers is adding All Things Goat to their blog roll as a resource in their Goat Section and I've asked him to add you too. Beginning Farmers is an program backed by Michigan State University. They need you.
http://allthingsgoat.com/2009/10/goat-resources-galore/
Hope this finds you well,
Martha Ann
Posted by: Martha Ann | October 22, 2009 at 08:18 AM