EFFECT OF ELECTROLYTES IN DRINKING WATER ON THE PERFORMANCE OF BROILER DURING SUMMER SEASON

Abstract

An experiment was carried out with commercial broilers to investigate the effects of administering electrolytes in drinking water on the productive performance (body weight gain, feed consumption, feed conversion ratio and water consumption) and carcass composition during summer and to determine the economic competence of using electrolytes. A total of 96 day-old Cobb 500 broiler chickens were considered for this experiment. The chicks were randomly distributed into 3 dietary treatments groups; control group (without electrolyte supplementation), 1gm electrolyte supplemented group and 1.5gm electrolyte supplemented group (Once daily). No significant differences in body weight and body weight gain were observed among treatments although the final body weight and body weight gain were highest in birds that received 1.5gm electrolytes once daily. Analysis of performance data showed significant difference for feed conversion ratio (p<0.05) and also in water consumption (p<0.0l). Birds of continuously 1 gm electrolyte supplied group and 1.5 gm electrolyte supplied groups showed significant improvement in feed conversion. The moisture, CP and EE contents of meat samples (breast, thigh and drumstick) of broilers of different treatments showed no significant differences. Economic returns tended to be higher (p>0.05) in continuously 1.5 gm electrolyte supplemented group. On the basis of the results of the study, it may be concluded that, both 1 gm continuous and 1.5 gm supplementation of electrolytes during summer improved the feed conversion of broilers. Thus electrolytes may be supplied to broilers during summer but further feeding trial.