Inter-relationships between egg shell quality, blood acid-base balance and dietary electrolytes

SummaryEgg shell quality is a significant economic problem in many countries which rely on high performance breeds. Various nutritional and management practices can be employed to provide the flock with a better opportunity to perform to its genetic potential.In recent years, attention has been directed towards dietary balance betwen different nutrients to avoid antagonism or to spare an expensive nutrient with a less expensive one. Dietary electrolyte balance is an aspect of nutritional management which offers considerable potential for improved performance of laying stock.This review examines the scope for use of dietary anions and cations to off-set disturbances to blood acid-base balance induced by shell formation, heat stress and other causes.