Further studies of effects of sodium aluminosilicate on egg shell quality

Five experiments were conducted using 36 dietary treatments to compare chloride salts and HCl as chemical sources of Cl for the adjustment of dietary Cl when using sodium aluminosilicate (SAS), to compare SAS to natural zeolites (clinoptilolite and mordenite), and to determine the appropriate level of dietary SAS for optimum egg specific gravity. The methods of Na and Cl correction used in the various treatments included altering the levels of NaCl, calcium chloride (CaCl2), potassium chloride (KCl), magnesium chloride (MgCl2), iron chloride (FeCl3), or hydrochloric acid (HCl). Experimental diets were fed for 6 to 8 wk. Results of all experiments (except Experiment 2) indicated that the addition of SAS to layer diets improved egg specific gravity and that correction for Na by removal of NaCl and the addition of HCl was not necessary for SAS to be effective. No beneficial effects of dietary SAS on egg specific gravity were observed when Na and Cl corrections were made using CaCl2, KCl, MgCl2, or FeCl3. The feeding of SAS has no influence on egg production in Experiments 1 and 3 but significantly improved egg production in Experiment 4, when it was added to diets containing 2.75% Ca. An adverse effect on production of feeding SAS was observed, especially at the higher levels of SAS in Experiments 2 and 5. In general, SAS tended to reduce feed consumption, with no effect on egg weight. It was concluded that .75% SAS will improve egg specific gravity approximately 1 to 3 units and that correction for Na was not necessary for SAS to be effective.