Abstract
Four experiments were conducted to evaluate the effect of carbonated water, potassium chloride and ammonium chloride, singly or in combination, on acid-base status and growth response of heat stressed broilers. Drinking water pH was reduced from 7.05 to 5.53 (P < .05) through carbonation but this process had little effect on venous blood pH. Ammonium chloride (0.137%) reduced blood pH under cycling temperature conditions but not under constant high temperature. Potassium chloride along or in combination with ammonium chloride or carbonated water improved feed intake and weight gain by up to 31%, while ammonium chloride or carbonated water alone produced mixed results. Water consumption was negatively correlated with body temperature (r2=−.92), and increased (P < .05) with salt supplementation; however, response to carbonation of drinking water was inconsistent. Potassium chloride and ammonium chloride appeared to enhance weight gain through improved water consumption.
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