Standardized body condition scoring system for tropical farm animals (large ruminants, small ruminants, and equines).

ABSTRACT: In tropical regions, subject to significant fluctuations in feedstuffs, the body condition score (BCS) is a relevant indicator for monitoring body reserves status of farm animals. However, the most used BCS grids comes from temperate conditions and still not adapted for tropical species, which limits adoption and usefulness. The current work presents for the first time an original, low-cost, standardized BCS assessment system, suited to a large spectrum of tropical farm animals (zebu and/or crossbred cattle, buffaloes, camel, sheep, goats, horses and donkeys). Based on a rigorous set of uniform criteria for practical, easy-to-use on field conditions, the animal model used to calibrate and validate each grid is the adult female (except the male for horses and donkeys). A six-point BCS grid

SUBMITTER: Vall E 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11889029 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature