Broiler chick growth and physiological and metabolic status as affected by the interaction between dietary crude protein and dietary electrolytes

Author

Adesina Afisu Adekunmisi

Date of Award

12-1986

Degree Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy

Major

Animal Science

Major Professor

Kelly R. Robbins

Committee Members

K. M. Barth, H. V. Shirley, R. Beauchene, J. P. Hitchcock

Abstract

The research was designed to (1) assess the effects of dietary electrolyte balance (meq Na + K - Cl/kg diet), dietary crude protein (CP) level, and photoperiod on performance of broiler chicks; (2) evaluate the physiological and metabolic effects of dietary electrolyte balance in broiler chicks; and (3) determine the dietary electrolyte balance requirement of broiler chicks.

The results indicated a dietary electrolyte balance x crude protein interaction. Increasing the electrolyte balance by the addition of Na-and K-citrate improved feed consumption and gain of chicks fed high protein (28.6%) diets, but depressed feed consumption and gain of chicks fed low protein (14.3%) diets. Increasing C1 in high Na and K diets also depressed growth. The electrolyte balance x protein interaction on growth was less pronounced when feed intake was equalized. High C1 diets depressed blood pH, HCO₃, and base excess. Feeding high versus low electrolyte balance diets increased plasma uric acid concentration and decreased kidney asparaginase activity. The effect of dietary electrolyte balance on acid-base and asparaginase activity were independent of crude protein level. Amino acid supple mentation of the low protein diet did not alleviate the growth depressing effect of increased electrolyte balance. Either the addition of a mixture of K and Na or addition of isomolar levels of K or Na alone depressed growth of chicks fed low protein diets. The results indicated that the electrolyte balance which provides for optimum growth is dependent upon the dietary crude protein concentration. Acid-base status, kidney asparaginase activity and plasma uric acid concentrations were affected by alterations in dietary electrolytes, but these changes were not correlated with the growth response.

Dietary electrolyte balances of 250 meq, 325 meq and 400 meq/kg were found to be optimum for diets containing 14.3%, 21.4% and 28.6% CP, respectively. Increasing the electrolyte balance of a conventional 21% CP corn-soy broiler diet from 228 meq Na + K - Cl/kg to 325 meq by the addition of Na and K resulted in increased gain, feed intake and feed efficiency. It was concluded that within the range of 14% to 28% CP, the optimum electrolyte balance is increased by about 11 meq/kg per 1% unit increase in diet crude protein content.

Recommended Citation

Adekunmisi, Adesina Afisu, "Broiler chick growth and physiological and metabolic status as affected by the interaction between dietary crude protein and dietary electrolytes. " PhD diss., University of Tennessee, 1986.
https://trace.tennessee.edu/utk_graddiss/12200