How to use Bicar®Z: sodium bicarbonate daily dosage for ruminants, pigs and poultry
Which ones are recommended based on our last studies?
In collaboration with experts in the field, we have developed Bicar®Z, a simple feed ingredient based on sodium bicarbonate that improves the productivity and welfare of livestock. Find out how to use our calculator and measure the daily dose of sodium bicarbonate supplement for ruminants, pigs and poultry.
Sodium bicarbonate dosage
What is the recommended sodium bicarbonate daily dosage based on our latest experiments?
To ensure efficacy, the daily dosage of Bicar®Z must be adapted to the physiological needs of your animals, depending on their stage of development and climatic conditions.
Sodium bicarbonate daily dosage for dairy cows
The importance of sodium bicarbonate, as a rumen pH regulator, in the feeding of cows has long been known. In order to increase heat loss during periods of intense heat, cows adopt characteristic behaviour such as increased respiratory rate and increased excretion of sodium bicarbonate with urine. At the same time, the buffering of their saliva is reduced.
Sodium bicarbonate has a buffering action that manifests itself in the rumen by counteracting the lowering of pH resulting from the fermentation of starches in the ration and the effect of high temperatures, giving positive feedback to lactating animals so they can maintain a satisfactory level of ingestion.
How to calculate the feeding sodium bicarbonate dosage to dairy cows.
Sodium bicarbonate daily dosage during heat stress
During the summer months, heat stress significantly reduces feed intake in farmed pigs. Nutritional intervention strategies to overcome low feed intake during the summer months aim to support daily nutrient uptake or reduce feed-related heat generation by altering the source and level of key nutrients.
Research and experience have clearly shown that adding sodium bicarbonate to pig feed improves feed intake by animals resulting in improved performance.
Even in the poultry supply chain, heat represents one of the main stresses with a strong impact on production.
As a reaction to heat stress, poultry reduce their feed consumption with consequent reduction in growth, deterioration of meat quality, oviposition rate and shell quality.
When environmental conditions do not allow for the creation of optimal temperature and humidity, it is necessary to supplement sodium bicarbonate in poultry feed.
Daily dosages of Bicar®Z for ruminants
Bicar®Z is pure sodium bicarbonate. It is composed of 27% of sodium (Na+) and of 73% of bicarbonate ion (HCO3−). For ruminants, Bicar®Z is added directly to the ration, and animals also have access to an unlimited supply if they wish. For all ruminants, the recommended dose is 0.7 - 1.5% of the dry matter ingested.
The recommended dose is about 250 g of Bicar®Z per day per cow.
For every 22 to 25 kg of dry matter intake (DMI), between 150 to 375 g per day and per cow.
When the temperature exceeds 20°C (and the animal has difficulty regulating itself), the dose can be increased to 400 g per cow per day.
During the feed transition, including corn silage, or the beginning of the grazing season, the recommended dose is often more than 1% of dry matter, or a minimum of 250 to 300 g/day for a lactating dairy cow weighing 650 kg.
The recommended dose is 150 g per day, with continuous access to food.
20g are recommended per day and per animal, with continuous access to feed.
The recommended dose is 1% of the feed ration, with continuous access to feed.
