Effect of Level and Source of Sodium on Performance of Male Broilers to 56 Days

This study evaluated sodium requirements of rapidly-growing male broilers to 56 days. Two sources of sodium (feed grade salt, feed grade sodium bicarbonate) provided dietary sodium levels of 0.15, 0.20, 0.25, and 0.30% Na. One series used salt alone; chloride levels ranged from 0.24 to 0.48%. In a second series a combination of salt and sodium bicarbonate provided the same sodium levels listed above but maintained chloride levels at 0.20%. Results from the present study suggest that the sodium requirement of broilers was no more than 0.20% to 21 days of age and no more than 0.15% in diets fed to 42 or 56 days of age. Chloride levels higher than 0.20% were of no benefit. Sodium bicarbonate was equal to sodium chloride as a source of sodium, but displayed no production advantages during this study. Litter moisture was directly related to sodium level but not to sodium source. Maintaining a safe minimum level of sodium would be beneficial in reducing problems with wet litter. Sodium levels and sodium sources had no apparent effect on tibial dyschondroplasia scores.