Nutritionists should adjust dietary salt for broilers to account for salt in the water supply

摘要

The levels of sodium and chloride in feed and water in this study significantly affected bodyweight and feed conversion at 21 days of age. Water sources of these minerals can be used to provide a portion of the chick's requirements, and adjustments indietary levels of sodium and chloride should be made based on the levels of these minerals in the drinking water. Drinking water in some areas of poultry production contains relatively high levels of sodium (Na) and chloride (Cl), and farmers in these areas often complain of problems that might be associated with excess consumption of Na and Cl including wet litter and associated footpad disorders, poor weight gain and feed conversion and wet droppings. Recent analysis of water supplies from poultry farms in southern Arkansas in the USA indicate Na levels ranging from 367 to 450mg/litre (mg/L) and Cl levels of 268 to 470mg/L.