Rumen acidosis remains one of the most common digestive challenges in feedlot cattle, especially during the transition to high-concentrate diets. While acidosis is often thought of in terms of rumen pH, producers and feeders don’t have a simple way to measure rumen conditions on a day-to-day basis. One practical and low-cost monitoring tool is fecal scoring.
Why Fecal Scoring Matters
The consistency and appearance of manure reflect what is happening in the rumen. When cattle experience subacute or acute acidosis, feed particles may pass through the rumen with minimal digestion. This increases fermentation in the hindgut, which can then alter manure texture and composition. By monitoring the pen floor, managers can gain insight into rumen health.
What to Look For
A simple 1–5 scoring system is often used:
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- Score 1: Watery, very loose manure; may indicate rapid passage or digestive upset.
- Score 2: Loose, but still piles slightly; often seen during ration transitions.
- Score 3: Ideal “pudding-like” consistency; indicates good digestion and balanced rumen function.
- Score 4: Firmer, stacked manure; may signal higher fiber or slower passage.
- Score 5: Very firm, dry; could indicate excessive dietary fiber or dehydration.
In the context of acidosis, more watery or inconsistent manure (scores 1–2) is often a red flag. Other visual signs may include greyish color, frothy or foamy appearance, or the presence of mucin casts – long, stringy mucus-like material that form when the gut lining is irritated.
Putting It Into Practice
- Consistency across pens: Compare fecal scores among pens fed the same ration. Variation may point to inconsistent feed delivery or sorting.
- Trends over time: Occasional loose manure is not unusual, but persistent watery feces can indicate a problem with diet formulation, bunk management, or disease presence.
- Combine with other observations: Look for cattle that go “off feed,” reduced cud chewing, or decreased performance. These signs, along with poor fecal scores, strengthen the case for acidosis risk. A drop in feed intake by the pen signals the need to monitor individual animals with more severe symptoms of acidosis.
Management Implications
Monitoring fecal scores is not a standalone diagnostic, but it’s a valuable tool to add to the daily routine. When issues are detected early, managers can work with nutritionists to adjust:
- The grain-to-forage ratio,
- Particle size and processing of corn,
- Feed delivery schedules, or
- Inclusion of buffers and byproducts.
These small adjustments can reduce the incidence of rumen acidosis, improve feed efficiency, and support overall cattle health, performance, and profitability.
Take-Home Message
Fecal scoring is a simple, cost-free practice that provides real-time feedback on rumen health. By incorporating it into daily observations, feedlot operators can better identify and manage risks of rumen acidosis before they impact performance.
Example of different fecal scores: (A) Score 1: watery; diarrheic, (B) Score 2: semi-liquid, (C) Score 3: “pudding-like” consistency, (D) Score 4: firmer and moderately dry, and (E) Score 5: very firm and dry. (Image taken from Estima-Silva et al., 2020. https://doi.org/10.1590/1678-5150-PVB-6657)
