Subject: investigate the sodium requirements of broilers
Experimental studies show that broilers need between 0.25% and 0.30% of sodium in their diet.
Conditions of the study: integration of 0.25-0.30 % of sodium bicarbonate
To maintain a correct dietary electrolyte balance, salt supplementation in corn-soybean diets is not sufficient to cover sodium needs.
It is therefore recommended to supplement about 0.2% of sodium chloride and to cover the unmet requirements with additional sodium bicarbonate Bicar®Z , rather than using salt.
Results
Experimental results indicate that supplementing sodium bicarbonate Bicar®Z is not only important to obtain a correct anion-cation balance, but it also contributes to a lower water intake, thus keeping floor litter in better conditions and reducing downgrades.
Conclusions: what can you learn from this study?
The authors of the study consider sodium levels ranging from 0.25% to 0.30% as being able to induce the best response of the laying hens.
To meet the sodium requirements of broilers, it is recommended to supplement broiler diets with 0.2% of sodium chloride and about 0.5% of sodium bicarbonate.