Body Condition Scoring

The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development states that sheep are scored in terms of their muscle mass and fat cover. On sheep, body condition scores are obtained by placing a hand on the sheep's backbone and short rib, the space between the long ribs and the hips. The scorer evaluates the cover of fat and tissue on the backbone and at the ends of the short ribs, they also assess the overall muscle condition ("Condition Scoring of Sheep). Below is the general chart used to determine the condition score, 2-3 is the preferred score for market wethers and breeding ewes.

Grading Scale for Sheep Body Condition 

Works Cited

"Condition Scoring of Sheep | Agriculture and Food." Agriculture and Food          Department of  Primary Industries and Regional Development,                       11 Oct. 2018, www.agric.wa.gov.au/management-                           reproduction/condition-scoring-sheep.