Efficiency of Utilization of Bulrush Rhizomes by Lesser Snow Geese

Abstract

Metabolizable energy (ME) and rate of passage of the rhizomes of three-square bulrush (S. americanus) were calculated from experimental trials with caged lesser snow geese (A. c. caerulescens). ME was 1.43 Kcal/g. Mean digestibility of rhizomes was 28%. The rate of passage of the rhizome diet did not vary with the amount of food contained in the gastrointestinal tract. Mean retention time was relatively constant at 120 min. The internal organ dimensions of 90 hunter-killed geese were collected from Oct.-April. Analysis showed no age or sex related differences. Gizzard size, small intestine length and dry matter capacity increased significantly as the year progressed. The mean gut capacity was 28.8 g dry matter.