Oral rehydration therapy and broiler performance during summer growing conditions

Two 8-wk broiler trials were conducted during summer growing conditions. Mild heat stress (30 C), as evidenced by panting, was induced by ventilation adjustments. From 4 to 8 wk of age, half of the pens were provided with a .10 strength, human oral rehydration therapy (ORT) solution containing .35 g sodium chloride, .25 g sodium bicarbonate, .15 g potassium chloride, and 4.0 g sucrose/L of drinking water. No significant (P less than .05) differences were found between treatments for 8-wk body weight. Mortality rate during the experiment period (4 to 8 wk) did not differ significantly between treatments in either trial, though it approached significance (P = .0558) in Trial 1 where mortality for broilers given ORT was 3.96% compared with 7.67% for control broilers. Feed efficiency was significantly (P less than .05) better in Trial 1 for ORT broilers, although no significant difference was found between treatments in Trial 2. Posttrial litter moisture measurements showed no significant differences (P greater than .05) between treatments in either trial. A crystalline deposit was observed in the internal filters of the bell-type waterers, which was probably caused by the sucrose (sugar) component of the ORT solution.