Body Condition Scoring allows you to monitor the health and condition of your deer. This simple visual assessment is a vital tool for effective herd management. Optimal Body Condition in bucks will allow for greater antler growth. Furthermore, does will be more fertile: produce more high-quality milk, resulting in healthier, faster growing fawns.
The Purina Mills Body Condition Scoring System allows you to visually score your deer based on fat coverage on several key body areas.
Use these guidelines to evaluate the health of your herd:
- POOR: Deer is emaciated. Majority of ribs are prominent during summer and visible but less distinct in winter. Spine appears sharp with a steep muscle angle and prominent sawtooth appearance from the side.
- LEAN: Deer is thin. Many ribs visible but not prominent during summer. Hip bone is clearly seen, with sharp edges and slightly sunken rump muscles.
- PRIME: Deer is strong, muscular and healthy. Ribs should be slightly visible but not sharp during warmer months. Spine is visible, but not prominent, and surrounded by moderately sloping muscles.
- HEAVY: Deer is healthy, but carrying a few extra pounds, considered normal and healthy prior to rut. Ribs are not visible. Hips are full with hip bone barely visible.
- OBESE: Ribs are layered in fat. Spine lies buried in fat, surrounded by rounding muscles with little to no slope. Be aware that does may have reproductive problems.
When managing nutrition, aim for the sweet spot. Ideal Body Condition Scores lies between 3-4 (can be as high as 4.5 just prior to the rut, especially in bucks). Visit Steinhuaser’s for quality wildlife feed – including Purina and Double Down Deer Feed!
Source: Purina Mills