Utilization of sodium from sodium bicarbonate by broiler chicks

Two experiments were performed with broiler chicks housed in battery brooders to ascertain their response to low levels of dietary sodium, supplied by either sodium chloride or sodium bicarbonate, and to compare the utilization of sodium from the materials. In each experiment, three replicate pens containing seven female day-old chicks were offered each treatment for a 21-day feeding period. Sodium chloride levels of 0, .05, .10, .15, or .20% were a portion of the dietary treatments. Additional groups received the same basal supplemented with .072, .144, or .216% sodium bicarbonate in the first experiment and .072 or .144% during the second, in order to provide sodium levels comparable to those resulting from .05, .10, or .15% sodium chloride. Group body weights, water consumption, feed consumption, and manure moisture served as evaluation criteria. As the level of sodium chloride was increased, body weights, feed and water intake, and manure moisture also increased. In neither experiment were there significant differences between the body weights of birds receiving sodium bicarbonate and those resulting from feeding comparable levels of sodium from sodium chloride. Average daily feed and sodium intake also did not differ statistically between groups receiving comparable sodium from either source. Water intake tended to be somewhat higher for sodium bicarbonate treatments and was significantly so for the .144% sodium bicarbonate treatment of the second experiment. Manure moisture was somewhat variable and did not differ statistically between sources at the same sodium level. It is concluded that the sodium from sodium bicarbonate was utilized in a manner comparable to that from sodium chloride.