Estimating Body Protein and Fat from Water Content in Lesser Snow Geese

Abstract

A method for measuring gross protein and fat in lesser snow geese (A. c. caerulescens) is described. The method can be used to estimate carcass protein from carcass water content and to estimate carcass fat from the protein estimate. The water/N values (NR) and the fat + protein/dry carcass values (K) that are used to estimate gross protein and fat are relatively constant within age-classes but vary with season and age, variation being most critical in goslings. Average NR and K values can be used to give protein and fat estimates that agree well with determined values for immatures and adults (r [correlation coefficient] = 0.82 and 0.93, respectively, P < 0.001).