Electrolytes, dietary electrolyte balance and salts in broilers: an updated review on growth performance, water intake and litter quality

Abstract

Electrolytes (sodium, potassium and chloride) are compounds that dissolve into positive and negative particles in solution. The relationship between these compounds, known as the 'dietary electrolyte balance' (DEB), is affected by either electrolyte or its supplemental salt source. The National Research Council recommended 0.20% sodium, chloride, and 0.30% potassium for starter phase and lower doses of sodium and chloride for the finisher phase of broilers. However, these requirements are increased under heat stress conditions, and birds perform better when increasing levels of these electrolytes are offered, maintaining a DEB of preferably 250 mEq/kg. Increased levels of these electrolytes, especially sodium, were found effective for growth but caused increased water consumption and ultimately higher litter moisture in summer. Potassium and chloride were found effective in the diets of heat-stressed broilers. Sodium bicarbonate and potassium chloride have been recognised as the best choice in salt selection for broiler diets, particularly under hot summer conditions. In conclusion, a combination of the electrolytes with higher levels of cations and lower level of anions is recommended. Furthermore, the requirements of these electrolytes should be explored, with reference to current poultry housing systems and modern genetics.

The nutrition of poultry as a factor affecting litter quality and foot pad dermatitis – an updated review

“…Several studies have shown that dietary electrolyte (Na, K and Cl) balance is an important factor influencing excreta moisture and FPD severity in poultry. In particular, as has been found in many studies with broiler chickens and turkeys, high dietary levels of Na and K as well as high dietary electrolyte balance increase water intake and litter moisture (Borges et al., ; Ravindran et al., ; Koreleski et al., , ; Mushtaq et al., ; Jankowski and Zdunczyk, ), which in turn is a factor leading to increased FPD severity. The result of the study by Cengiz et al.…”

The effect of different dietary levels of sodium and chloride on performance and blood parameters in goslings (1–28 days of age)

“…Some studies have shown that the increases in Na + and Cl − are linear with water consumption and the moisture content of excreta in broilers (Jankowski, Zduńczyk, Juśkiewicz, & Kwieciński, ; Mushtaq, Pasha, Mushtaq, & Parvin, ). This is inconsistent with the results of our study.…”

Risicobeoordeling waterverstrekking aan vleeskuikens en vleeskuikenouderdieren

“…Tijdens periodes van potentiële hittestress wordt het drinkwater vaak aangevuld met elektrolyten (Ahmad and Sarwar, 2006;Lin et al, 2006;Mushtaq et al, 2013;Oliveira et al, 2016). Elektrolyten zijn mineralen in het bloed en van belang voor de normale celfunctie en -groei.…”

“…Echter experimenten naar de beïnvloeding van de elektrolytenbalans geven onduidelijke resultaten en ondersteunen het voorgaande niet (Ahmad and Sarwar, 2006;Borges et al, 2004;Koike et al, 1983;Mushtaq et al, 2014;Mushtaq et al, 2013;Oliveira et al, 2016;Schafer, 2012). Jong et al, 2015;Pesti et al, 1985;Pesti and Marks, 1983;Shepherd and Fairchild, 2010).…”