Lack of Effect of Sodium Bicarbonate on Shell Characteristics

Abstract

Helbacka et al. (1963) observed a decline in blood pH and a thinning of egg shells when birds were exposed to an atmosphere containing 5% carbon dioxide. These workers concluded that calcification in the shell gland was dependent on blood pH which was lowered by respiratory acidosis caused by the high carbon-dioxide atmosphere.Frank and Burger (1965) reported that sodium bicarbonate in the drinking water of hens resulted in a 6.6% improvement in egg shell thickness. They concluded that the reported increase in egg shell calcification in birds exposed to high levels of atmospheric carbon dioxide was not a result of changes in blood pH but, rather, a result of respiratory acidosis and its resultant effects upon the availability of bicarbonate ions in the shell gland.El-Bousky (1966) reported that, when birds were exposed to a medium range of temperatures, the feeding of sodium bicarbonate improved shell quality.Howes (1966) .