Performance of broilers fed diets with different dietary electrolyte balance under summer conditions

Abstract

The aim of this study was to compare performance and carcass characteristics of broilers fed diets with different Dietary Electrolyte balances (DEB) during the summer season. A total of 1,280 one-day-old Ross sexed chicks were distributed in 32 experimental units according to a randomized block design in a 4x2 factorial arrangement (4 levels and 2 sexes) and 4 replicates per treatment (40 birds per replicate). Feed program consisted of 3 phases (1-21, 22-42, 43-49 days of age). Experimental diets were formulated based on corn and soybean meal and adjusted to 210, 250, 290 and 330 mEq/kg of Na + K -Cl through the addition of sodium carbonate, potassium carbonate and ammonium chloride. Weekly measurements of body weight gain and feed intake were done, and at 49 days, birds were slaughtered to evaluate the dressing percentage and parts yield. Weight gain during the starter phase increased linearly (p<0.01) as DEB increased. Different DEB levels did not affect feed intake or mortality. Carcass characteristics were not affected by treatments. Dietary electrolytic balance influenced weight gain and feed gain ratio from 1 to 21 days, and best results were observed when diets contained 290 and 330 mEq/kg.

The effect of dietary potassium and sodium on performance, carcass traits, and nitrogen balance and excreta moisture in broiler chicken

“…In an experiment reported by Borgatti et al (2004), a high weight gain was found at 1.8 g·Na + , 12.2 g·K + and 2.2 g·Cl · kg -1 of diet and at a DEB value of 330. In our experiment the highest BWG values, the largest FI and the best FCR in the first feeding period were observed in chickens fed diets containing higher K + (12.2 and 12.7 g·kg -1 ), Na + L and Na + A (1.22 and 1.68 g·kg -1 ) content and with DEB values from 329 to 349.…”

Effect of threonine and potassium carbonate supplementation on performance, immune response and bone parameters of broiler chickens

“…Feeding diets containing higher potassium content (1.22% and 1.27%) with dietary electrolyte balance (DEB) values from 329 to 349, decreased broiler chickens performance (Koreleski et al 2010) and inclusion of 25% and 50% more than basal diet to male turkey diets reduced weight gain but had no effect on FCR (Reece et al 2000). Nevertheless, in other experiment broiler chickens fed diet containing 0.18% sodium, 1.22% potassium and 0.22% chlorine with DEB value of 330, achieved high weight gain (Borgatti et al 2004). However, in our experiment, potassium and sodium levels were not more than 0.95 and 0.17%, respectively, and it was suggested that when dietary potassium was 1.01%, sodium is not needed more than 0.20% for 0-21d chickens (Murakami et al 1997).…”

Influence of environmental temperature and electrolyte balance on the performance of quails (Coturnix Coturnix Coturnix)

“…In addition, EB values in the diet change with animal species, production category, and age, as well as with the intensity and duration of heat stress. Experiments carried out with broilers, commercial layers, and broiler breeders determined different dietary EB for these categories of chickens (Junqueira et al, 2000, Borgatti et al, 2004 and for different environmental temperatures. Quails originate from hot regions (McIlvaine, 2000), and therefore, probably are more resistant to heat stress than chickens.…”