Description

Visual aspect of the goat: The backbone is buried in fat. Ribs are not visible. The rib cage is covered with excessive fat.

The thickness of the muscle and fat is so great that reference marks on the spinous processes are lost. The spinous processes form a depression along the backbone and there is a bulging transition from spinous to transverse processes.

The thickness of the muscle and fat is so great that reference marks on the transverse processes are also lost. It is impossible to grasp the transverse processes.

The sternal fat now extends and covers the sternum, joining fat covering cartilage and ribs. It cannot be grasped.

To compare these BCS side-by-side, go to http://www2.luresext.edu/goats/research/bcs.html

Reference: Detweiler, G., T. Gipson, R. C. Merkel, A. Goetsch, and T. Sahlu. 2008. Body Condition Scores in Goats. Pages 127-133 in Proc. 23rd Ann. Goat Field Day, Langston University, Langston, OK.