Abstract
The effects of high Calcium (Ca, 10 and 25 g kg(-1)) and Dietary Electrolyte Balance (DEB, 250 (basal diet), 200 and 300 mEq kg(-1) (3 diets with high Na, K and Na plus K, respectively) on the performance (Weight Gain (WO), Feed Intake (FI) and Feed Conversion Ratio (FCR)) during the starter and finisher periods (1-20 and 21-33 days of age, respectively) and plasma total Ca and electrolytes and carcass characteristics at 33 days of age of broiler chickens were investigated. DEB treatments were prepared by the addition of NH4Cl, NaHCO3, KHCO3 and NaHCO3 plus KHCO3 to the basal diet, respectively. High Ca diet reduced WG, FI, plasma potassium, eviscerated carcass weight and increased FCR and plasma Ca. Altering DEB of 250 by +/- 50 mEq kg(-1) influenced WO and FI of chickens without altering FCR, plasma total Ca and electrolytes and carcass composition. DEB 200 mEq kg(-1) did not influence the performance of chickens. DEB 300 mEq kg(-1) had a lower WG than DEB 200 or 250 mEq kg(-1) during the starter period. DEB 300 mEq kg(-1) with high Na had a higher WG than DEB 200 mEq kg(-1) at the finisher period. DEB 300 mEq kg(-1) with high K had lower WG and FI of chickens than other DEB treatments and eviscerated carcass weight than DEB 250 mEq kg(-1) at 33 days of age. It was concluded that altering DEB within the range of 200-300 did not overcome the growth depression effect of high Ca. DEB manipulation influenced the performance of chickens.