Variable (% of fresh matter)

Body condition score

Significance

Score 1 (n = 12)

Score 2 (n = 19)

Score 3 (n = 20)

Score 4 (n = 15)

Score 5 (n = 7)

Score 6 (n = 3)

Dry matter

27.99 ± 2.38^a

29.42 ± 6.97^a

29.35 ± 4.85^a

28.23 ± 2.12^a

28.30 ± 1.59^a

28.97 ± 0.46^a

NS

Ash

1.02 ± 0.15^a

0.95 ± 0.15^a

1.02 ± 0.42^a

0.95 ± 0.19^a

1.06 ± 0.20^a

0.95 ± 0.08^a

NS

Total fat

11.38 ± 1.45^b

14.58 ± 4.01^ab

13.28 ± 4.08^ab

15.85 ± 4.16^ab

14.99 ± 1.86^ab

16.76 ± 2.37^a

**

Total protein

21.06 ± 3.79^ab

21.64 ± 3.07^ab

23.55 ± 3.21^a

20.84 ± 4.02^ab

22.99 ± 4.22^ab

17.86 ± 0.80^b

*