A Comparision of the Effect of Different Levels of Dietary Electrolyte Balance on Broiler Performance

The effect of three different levels of dietary electrolyte balance (DEB), in mean values of 114, 183 and 250 (mEq/kg), on broiler performance was evaluated. A number of 486 Arian male chicks were employed in a randomaized block design of three replicates and 54 chicks in each level replication. Diets were available to chicks ad lib and in three dietary phases. Serum Na+,K+, Cl- concentrations were measured at the end of each dietary phase. Leg bone(Tibia) ash content in each experimental group was tested at the end of day 42. In starter phase, feed intake and weight gain were decreased significantly by rising DEB (p<0.05). After that, no response was detected in on broiler performance in grower or finisher phases by an increase in DEB (p>0.05). In all the three phases, rise in DEB increased serum Na+,while decreasing serum Cl-, but having no significant effect on serum K+. As well, there was no significant differences observed among leg bone ash in different experimental groups (p>0.05) In addition, an increase in DEB did not have any effect on either Ascites syndrome or Tibia Dyschondroplasia. The results of this study have finally shown that DEB changes in a range of 114 to 250 mEq/kg of diet have no significant effect on broiler performance as observed throughout the experiment.