Water is crucial in poultry nutrition, as it functions in metabolism, regulation of body temperature, transport of nutrients and excretion of waste materials [1]. [2] reported that it is an acceptable practice to daily monitor birds’ water consumption, which gives an early indication of a health problem when water consumption is compared to the standard consumption expected. [3] reported that water consumption in birds can be affected by factors such as environmental conditions; feed and water quality, among others like external air humidity, type and management of a drinker system, age and weight of birds [4]. [5] reported that inadequate management practices in a poultry house leading to increased ammonia concentration in air often result in health problems including contact dermatitis, enteritis and respiratory diseases. [6] noted that drier poultry litter reduces the emission of ammonia into the environment, and this would help avoid environmental and animal welfare problems, with increasing economic profits as one of the end results. Feed ingredients may also affect the rate of water consumption and excretion [7]. However, [2] concluded that daily water consumption is a reliable indicator of broiler performance. Respiratory alkalosis is a product of heat stress, a condition of excess blood bicarbonate reacting with other ions such as sodium ion (Na⁺), calcium ion (Ca²⁺), magnesium ion (Mg²⁺), and potassium ion (K⁺) before being eliminated [8]. Hence, maintenance of bird’s acid-base balance is crucial for efficient performance under high temperature as suggested by [9]. Additional potassium and sodium are favorable for birds reared in heat stress environment, but also increases water intake. Therefore, this study aimed at assessing the effect of different dietary electrolyte balance and water intake on the feeding potential and excreta quality of broiler chicks reared under heat stress at pre-starter and starter phases.

The protocol for the experiment was reviewed and approved by the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee through the Agricultural Biochemistry and Nutrition Unit of the Department of Animal Science, University of Ibadan, Nigeria. The study was carried out at the Teaching and Research Farm, University of Ibadan during the dry season with high environmental temperatures. A total of three hundred, 1-day-old Arbor Acre broiler chicks were randomly allotted to six treatments [mEq/Kg: 210 (T₁), 240 (T₂), 270 (T₃), 300 (T₄), 330 (T₅), 360 (T₆) DEB] with five replicate groups of ten birds each, in a completely randomized design (CRD). The gross compositions (g/Kg) of starter diets fed to the heat-stressed broiler chicks in each treatment group were shown in Table 1. The DEB was calculated using the equations derived by [10]. The derived equation of DEB is

∑ DEB = ∑ ( Na + + K + ) − ∑ Cl − ⋯ [ y ] [ c ]

where ∑ DEB = aggregate DEB;

¹Composition of premix per kg of diet: Vitamin A, 12,500 I.U; Vitamin D3, 2500 I.U; Vitamin E, 40 mg; Vitamin K3, 2 mg; Vitamin B1, 3 mg; Vitamin B2, 5.5 mg; Niacin, 55 mg; Calcium pantothenate, 11.5 mg; Vitamin B6, 5 mg; Vitamin B12, 0.025 mg; choline chloride, 500 mg; Folic acid, 1 mg; Biotin, 0.08 mg; Manganese, 120 mg; Iron,100 mg; Zinc, 80 mg; copper, 8.5 mg; Iodine, 1.5 mg; Cobalt, 0.3 mg; Selenium, 0.12 mg; Antioxidant, 120 mg. ²Limestone contains 38% calcium.

[y] = mineral sources;

[c] = other macro ions (Ca, Mg, P, S etc) held constant.

Aggregate DEB = Inherent DEB in rations + DEB in Electrolyte sources.

A total of 38 pens were used in this study in order to measure water intake in heat-stressed broiler chickens as described by the authors. This methodology was premised on the assumptions that the study of water kinetics is important in agricultural research and helps to solve critical issues affecting efficient broiler chicken productivity. To adequately measure actual water intake in birds, 8 pens were randomly isolated. Plastic drinkers of the same size, shape and thickness were put in 38 pens. Equal volume and height of water in the drinkers were maintained daily in the 38 pens. This method is premised on the theories propounded by Pascal’s principle of pressure and principle of thermal expansivity of liquids [11].

Daily evaporative rate ( DER ) = ∑ ( V α − V γ / V α ) n

where Vα = Initial volume of water supplied in the drinker at the evaporation chamber;

Vγ = Final volume of water left in the drinker at the evaporation chamber;

n = Number of isolated pens (8).

Actual water intake = ( V 1 − V 2 ) × DER

where V₁ = Initial volume of water supplied to birds;

V₂ = volume left over.

Maximum and minimum average ambient temperature and relative humidity of the pen were monitored on a daily basis using a digital hydro thermometer. Assay was conducted in each diet for sodium and potassium (Flame spectrophotometer), and chloride (titration) [12] as shown in Table 2. Feed intake was calculated from the difference between supplied feed and feed left in each pen. Feed weighing was performed on the same dates the birds were weighed. Feed conversion was calculated as the ratio between weight of total feed intake and weight gain within the period in each pen and was adjusted for mortality.

Litter moisture content was evaluated weekly. For each replicate pen, four samples of around 500 g of litter were collected at random locations following equal distances with later homogenization to make a single sample per pen. Analysis for litter dry matter was performed by oven drying using the forced ventilation method at 55 ± 5 C for 72 h and evaluation by weight difference. Data obtained were subjected to descriptive statistics and analysis of variance using SAS package [13]. Means for treatments in the analysis of variance were compared using Duncan Multiple Range Test and based on probability level of 0.05.

At prestarter phase, significant (p < 0.05) differences in dry matter intake of birds fed different DEB were observed. Birds on 330 mEq/Kg DEB had higher (p < 0.05) dry matter (431.70) intake compared to birds on 270 (377.77) mEq/Kg DEB. However, at 14 to 21 days, feed intake of birds was not significantly (p >

0.05) affected by different DEB treatments. The observed differences in feed intake could be attributed to intake of water, solely driven by dietary salt concentrations. At 0 to 21 days, analysis of variance showed no significant (p > 0.05) differences in feed intake and DM intake of birds fed different DEB treatments. This result has shown that birds ‘appetite was not enhanced by dietary electrolyte balance at starter phase. These findings disagree with the report of [14] who stated that regardless of ambient temperatures, increasing DEB stimulated feed intake, which could be the result of increasing Na⁺ levels in diets (0.15% to 0.45%). [15] reported that the weight of birds, when assessed at 42 d, decreased when DEB was lower than 180 mEq/kg and higher than 300 mEq/kg while an optimal electrolyte balance was found for feeds at 250 to 300 mEq/kg. [16] investigated the effect of feeds containing DEB in different ratios with varying calcium levels of 1.38% and 0.95%, and noted that the worst and the best weight gains were achieved when the DEB was 174 and 215 mEq/kg, respectively. In the current study, the body weight (BW) of birds on different dietary treatments was not significantly (p > 0.05) affected at pre-starter and starter phases. However, at 0 - 21 d period, the BW of birds on 330, 270 and 240 DEB were significantly (P < 0.05) higher compared to other dietary treatments. The lowest (p < 0.05) BW was observed in birds on 210 and 360 mEq/kg DEB. This result agrees with the findings of [17] and [18] who established an optimal DEB for modern broiler strains to be between 246 and 315 mEq/Kg at starter phase. [19] reported that optimal chick growth performance, when fed purified diets, was achieved using DEB (Na⁺ + K⁺ − Cl⁻) of around 250 mEq/kg. The observed body weight gain (BWG) of birds in the current study was not significantly (p > 0.05) affected by different DEB treatments at pre-starter phase. However, at 0 to 21 days, significant (p > 0.05) differences were observed in BWG of birds fed different dietary treatments. Birds on 330 mEq/Kg DEB had higher (p < 0.05) BWG compared to 210 and 360 mEq/Kg DEB. Similar BWG values were observed in birds on 240, 270, 300 and 330 mEq/Kg DEB. [20] noted that electrolyte manipulation significantly influenced the best electrolyte balance for broilers.

At 0 to 14 d, water intake of birds was affected (p < 0.05) by different DEB treatments. It was observed that birds on 240, 270, 300 and 330 mEq/Kg DEB had similar water intake, but higher (p > 0.05) compared to those on 210 and 360 mEq/kg at prestarter phase. During 15 to 21 d, there were no significant (p > 0.05) differences observed in water intake of birds on 240, 270, 300, 330, and 360 mEq/Kg DEB, but differed significantly (P < 0.05) compared to birds on 210 mEq/kg DEB. It was observed that birds on 360 (821.89 mL) mEq/Kg DEB had significantly (p < 0.05) higher water intake compared to birds on other dietary treatments at 0 to 21 days. It is well known that water is an essential nutrient in poultry nutrition, especially during hot environmental temperature. [21] reported that increased survivability during heat stress has been shown to correlate with water consumption. The increase in water consumption is advantageous to birds because it increases the amount of heat dissipated by evaporative cooling through the respiratory tract [22]. In the current study, the effect of different DEB on mortality of chicks (0 - 21 days) showed no significant (p > 0.05) differences. This result shows that heat-stressed birds at starter phase can ionically manipulate their survivability through systemic intake of water. Also, the effect of different DEB on water intake of broiler chickens at starter phase showed significant (p < 0.05) differences. It was observed that birds on 270, 240 and 300 mEq/Kg DEB had reduced intake of water when compared to birds fed other dietary treatments. This result has shown that the intake of water was dependent on dietary cation and anion balance inside the birds. Also, the excretion of excess metabolic acids plus water was not dependent on volume of water taken in by the birds. According to [23], dissipation of more than 80% of the heat produced through evaporative cooling has showcased the importance of increased water consumption in heat-stressed broilers. Water consumption depends on the age of the bird, ambient and water temperatures, physiological state, water pH, levels of macro-nutrients in feed, amount and types of salt added in feed and water. The increase in water consumption benefits the birds by acting as heat receptor and also increases the amount of heat dissipated per breath [22].

The litter moisture content of birds fed varying DEB treatments at pre-starter and starter phases is presented in Table 3. Increased (p < 0.05) litter moisture was observed in birds on higher DEB values of 330 (35.06) and 360 (41.52) mEq/Kg compared to other treatments. However, there were no significant (p > 0.05) differences in litter moisture content of birds on 240 and 270 mEq/Kg DEB. At 15 to 21 d (Max: 38˚C ± 2˚C, Min: 23˚C ± 2˚C), significant (p < 0.05) differences were observed in litter moisture content of birds on varying levels of DEB. Birds on 360 mEq/Kg had higher (p < 0.05) litter moisture content than birds on other treatments. There were no differences (p > 0.05) observed in litter moisture content of birds on 240 and 300 mEq/Kg DEB. Birds on 210 mEq/Kg DEB had the lowest (p < 0.05) litter moisture content at 15 to 21 d. Results obtained from current study on litter moisture content revealed that different DEB affected litter quality at starter phase. The lowest litter moisture was observed for birds on 210 mEq/Kg DEB when compared to other dietary treatments. This result corroborates the findings of [24] that any increase in the dietary Na and K intake enhanced water consumption and excreta moisture. Also, that increased water consumption caused by greater DEB values had a direct impact on litter moisture and also reduces the rectal temperatures in birds. [14] observed linear increase in water intake of heat-stressed broilers with increasing DEB levels in the diets and with bird’s age.

A dietary electrolyte balance of 270 mEq/kg improved performances of broiler chicks at pre-starter and starter phases. Water intake was enhanced at pre-starter and starter phases in birds on 360 mEq/kg but with higher litter moisture.

^abcMeans for treatments within a column with no common superscript showed significant (p < 0.05) differences using DMRT, DMI—dry matter intake, BW—body weight, BWG—body weight gain, FCR—feed conversion ratio, DEB—dietary electrolyte balance, p value—probability, SEM—standard error of mean.

The profound moral and financial supports of Engr. and Mrs Popoola are hereby acknowledged.

The authors declare no conflicts of interest regarding the publication of this paper.

Popoola, I.O., Oshibanjo, D.O., Popoola, O.R., Okuneye, T.A., Ilaboya, I.I. and Iyayi, E.A. (2019) Effect of Dietary Electrolyte Balance on Water Intake, Litter Moisture and Production of Broiler chicks at Pre-Starter and Starter Phases. Open Journal of Animal Sciences, 9, 472-480. https://doi.org/10.4236/ojas.2019.94036