Abstract
An experiment with 400 one-day-old male chicks (Ross) was conducted to evaluate the effects of different Na levels (0.10, 0.22, 0.34 and 0.46%) and different cation/anion balances (Na+K-Cl) (100, 150, 200, 250 and 300 meq/kg) in pre-starter diets on broiler performance. The corn and soybean-based diets had 22% crude protein and 2,900 kcal/kg metabolizable energy and were fed ad libitum. Performance data showed a positive quadratic effect of increasing Na levels on feed and water consumption, weight gain and feed conversion. Na+K-Cl also had a quadratic influence on feed intake and weight gain. None of the effects tested affected the amount of water measured in excreta. Derivatives of obtained regression equations pointed to optimal Na levels of 0.45% for water consumption, 0.40% for feed intake and weight gain and 0.38% for feed conversion. As to the effect of dietary Na+K-Cl balances on performance, regression equation values were 174 meq/kg for feed consumption and 163 meq/kg for weight gain. These results show that both Na level and Na+K-Cl balance interfere on broiler performance.
Highlights
Many researchers and nutritionists have recommended the use of a differential diet for broilers during the first week of life
From 1 to 7 days of age, quadratic effects of Na levels and Na+K-Cl balances were observed for Feed intake (FI) and weight gain (WG), whereas for Water consumption (WC) and feed conversion (FC) a quadratic effect was observed only for Na levels (Tables 4 and 5)
The obtained regression equations suggested for maximum responses dietary Na levels of 0.45% for WC, 0.40% for FI and WG, and 0.38% for FC
Summary
Many researchers and nutritionists have recommended the use of a differential diet for broilers during the first week of life. The adoption of this specific diet is justified by the fact that chicks have very distinct nutritional needs during this stage, possibly due to differences of the digestive tract. Information on adequate levels of Na and balance among the electrolytes (Na+K-Cl), as recommended by Mongin & Sauveur (1977) for diets during the first week of life, are still few or incomplete. This study was performed to identify the effects of different Na levels and different Na, K and Cl (Na+K-Cl) balances in broiler feeds during the first week of age. Different Sodium Levels and Electrolyte Balances in PreStarter Diets for Broilers
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