Sodium sesquicarbonate toxicity in broiler chickens

Area of Science:

• Poultry Science
• Animal Nutrition
• Veterinary Pathology

Background:

• Feed misformulation led to sodium sesquicarbonate (SSC) contamination in broiler chicken feed.
• SSC is a buffering agent typically used in ruminant feeds, not poultry diets.
• Contaminated feed resulted in increased mortality, polydipsia, and wet droppings in broiler chickens.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the toxic effects of sodium sesquicarbonate (SSC) in broiler chickens.
• To determine the pathological changes and mortality rates associated with SSC ingestion.
• To establish a controlled study to confirm the cause of observed field cases.

Main Methods:

• A controlled study involving 150 three-week-old broilers divided into three groups.
• Groups were fed a control diet, a diet with 5% SSC, or a diet with 10% SSC.
• Evaluated mortality, packed cell volume (PCV), total serum proteins, and performed kidney histopathology.

Main Results:

• The group fed 10% SSC experienced 6% mortality.
• Dehydration was observed in both SSC-fed groups within 1 day, indicated by elevated PCV.
• Histopathology revealed more severe kidney lesions, including dilated tubules and epithelial loss, in chickens consuming SSC.

Conclusions:

• Sodium sesquicarbonate (SSC) poses a significant risk to broiler chickens, causing dehydration and kidney damage.
• Even accidental inclusion of SSC in poultry feed can lead to substantial economic losses due to mortality and morbidity.
• Careful feed formulation and quality control are crucial to prevent contamination with inappropriate feed additives.