Electrolyte equilibrium as a nutricional strategy to prevent drop in performance of commercial laying hens under high temperature conditions

• Grant number: 12/09329-2
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master
• Start date: July 01, 2012
• End date: February 28, 2014
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Animal Husbandry - Animal Nutrition and Feeding
• Principal Investigator: Rosemeire da Silva Filardi
• Grantee: Letícia Guerra Aldrigui
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Engenharia (FEIS). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Ilha Solteira. Ilha Solteira , SP, Brazil

Abstract

The main metabolic disease that affects the laying hens is the acid-base disturbance. This disorder, which is aggravated by the heat stress that consists in the increase of the blood pH, leading to respiratory alkalosis. This is due to increase the respiratory rate for regulating the internal body temperature of the bird, which determines decrease in HCO3 and CO2 in blood and consequently affect the quality of the eggshell. To minimize this problem is possible to manipulate the diet of birds favoring the balance and electrolyte ratio in order to avoid acid-base disturbances. This proposal contributes to reduce losses, especially those related to mortality and fragility of the eggshell. Thus, this study aims to evaluate the performance, egg quality, composition of the excreta and economic viability of commercial laying hens in hot weather and subjected to four electrolyte balances (140, 210, 280 e 350 mEq/kg) and three electrolytic ratios (2:1; 3:1 e 4:1) in the diet, using different levels of sodium (Na), potassium (K) and chlorine (Cl) in diets through non-linear programming in a free software. A set of 288 laying hens will be used, distributed in a completely randomized design in factorial arrangement 4 x 3 (electrolyte balance x electrolyte ratio) with 4 replication composed by 6 birds. The experiment will last 4 cycles every 28 days. At the end of the last cycle will be held the economic viability of using the concept of electrolyte balance and also a metabolism trial to collect excreta, necessary for determining the moisture content, intake and excretion of nitrogen, calcium and phosphorus.

Academic Publications

(References retrieved automatically from State of São Paulo Research Institutions)

ALDRIGUI, Letícia Guerra. Equilíbrio eletrolítico como estratégia nutricional para prevenir queda no desempenho de poedeiras comerciais em condições de alta temperatura. 2014. Master's Dissertation - Universidade Estadual Paulista (Unesp). Faculdade de Engenharia. Ilha Solteira Ilha Solteira.