 The condition scoring is a method to determine the amount of body fat or the lack of body fat on an animal and is expressed as a number. Each goat or sheep can be scored on a number system based on their appearance. The numbering system goes from one to five. One is a very thin emaciated animal with a prominent backbone and tailbone area. The ribs can be easily seen and felt. There is no sternal fat pad. A body condition score of two is a thin goat. The backbone can be felt and the tailbone is smooth but can be felt. The rib cage is smooth and slightly rounded. Slight pressure must be applied to feel the ribs. There is a small sternal fat pad. A score of three is an animal in good condition. The backbone and tailbone are smooth and have an even fat covering. The ribs are smooth and can only be felt with pressure. There is a noticeable fat pad. A body condition score of four, the sheep or goat is fat. The tailbone and backbone have a fat covering and no bony points can be felt. Individual ribs cannot be felt but it is possible to feel the indentation between the ribs. The sternal fat pad is freely movable. An animal with a score of five is obese. No backbone or tailbone can be felt. The fat covering may be lumpy or jiggly. Individual ribs nor the separation can be felt. The sternal fat pad is prominent and freely movable. There was no animal with a body condition score of five available for demonstration. Due to the woolly covering on sheep, the farmer must place their hands on the sheep to accurately determine the body condition score. As visually the woolly covering can mask the condition of the animal. If an animal lies in between two scores, this animal can be given an additional half a score up or down the scale. Regular use of body condition scoring allows farmers to adjust their nutritional program.