Adjustments to nitrogen metabolism during wing moult in Greylag Geese, Anser anser

1. This study examined the nitrogen balance of free-living flightless moulting Greylag Geese, Anser anser, in relation to food quality, nitrogen absorption, food retention time and nitrogen excretion rates. 2. Food intake rates during moult were the same as those before and after the flightless period, but total daily time spent foraging fell by 58% from 9·45 h to 3·96 h. Dropping production during moult was 43%, and mean dropping mass 42% of that before and after moult, suggesting a considerable increase in food passage time through the gut during moult. Nitrogen absorption increased from 25% prior to moult to 47% during moult. 3. At the same time, excreted dry mass uric acid in faecal material fell by 68%, such that the proportion of nitrogen absorbed and retained in the body as a proportion of the nitrogen ingested in food rose from 16% prior to moult to 42% during moult. 4. Based on these significant increases in nitrogen absorption and decreases in nitrogen excretion, geese were able to compensate for reduced food intake and derive sufficient nitrogen from their diet to re-grow flight feathers.

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