Abstract
Abstract o 1. Carbon-14 labeled cellulose was fed to rock ptarmigan to provide evidence of cellulose digestion and metabolism. Digestibility of cellulose and energy metabolized by ptarmigan fed a diet of 6 and 30% cellulose were determined by a feeding trial. 2. Recovery of 14CO2 in expired gases from ptarmigan fed 14C labeled cellulose demonstrates the digestion and metabolism of cellulose by gut microbes and the ptarmigan. 3. Rapid recovery of 14CO2 in expired gases suggested prececal digestion of cellulose. 4. Cellulose digestibility averaged 34% and was not significantly different between groups of birds, however, total cellulose digestion was significantly different in birds fed 6 and 30% cellulose diets, 0·4 and 3·7 g/day, respectively. 5. Indirect evidence is presented which suggests cellulose digestion in the cecum is relatively complete. 6. Caged existence energy averaged 63 kcal/day and was not significantly different between birds fed low and high cellulose diets.
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