Strategic use of electrolyte equilibrium in feeding laying hens

• Grant number: 12/24032-6
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Effective date (Start): March 01, 2013
• Effective date (End): December 31, 2013
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Animal Husbandry - Animal Nutrition and Feeding
• Principal Investigator: Rosemeire da Silva Filardi
• Grantee: Leonardo Tedeschi
• 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 layers is acid-base disorder. This disorder, which is aggravated by heat stress is to increases blood pH, leading to respiratory alkalosis, which in turn ultimately compromises the performance and quality of the eggs. To alleviate this problem it is possible to manipulate the diet of the bird's relative favors the electrolyte balance and to prevent the acid-base disturbances thereby reducing losses, especially those related to mortality and fragility of the eggshell. Thus, the present study aims to evaluate the performance, egg quality, economic viability and storage time of eggs from hens raised in conditions of high temperature and under different electrolyte balance (Na + + K + - Cl-) relationships and different electrolytes [(K + + Cl-) / Na +]. Distributed 192 laying hens are used in a randomized 4x2 factorial design (4 electrolyte balance - 140, 210, 280, and 350 mEq/kg x 2 electrolytic relationships - 2:1 and 3:1) totaling 8 treatments with 4 replicates of 6 birds each. To obtain the experimental diets are manipulated levels of sodium (Na), potassium (K), and chloride (Cl), where diets are formulated by nonlinear programming on free software. The experiment will run for 6 cycles of 14 days each and at the end of the last cycle will be held the economic feasibility of using the concept of electrolyte balance.(AU)