Sodium chloride for broiler breeders

Two experiments, each of 224 days duration, were conducted with Cobb broiler breeders, 32 weeks of age, to determine their response to supplemental dietary sodium chloride levels ranging from .12 to .48% in a corn-soybean meal diet. Average hen-day egg production, daily feed intake, feed required per dozen eggs, and egg specific gravity were not significantly influenced by any level of supplemental sodium chloride. Egg weights from hens receiving .36% sodium chloride were significantly heavier than those of birds that consumed .12 and .24% sodium chloride but not those of the .18 and .48% sodium chloride treatments. Egg fertility was significantly depressed by .48% sodium chloride and numerically reduced by .36%. Hatchability of fertile eggs was not found to be affected, but overall hatchability of eggs from .36 and .48% supplemental sodium chloride treatments was significantly lower than that supported by the least sodium chloride level provided, .12%. These data indicate that current National Research Council (1977) sodium requirements for heavy breeders (200 mg/day) may provide at least 23% more sodium than is required (less than or equal to 154 mg/day) and that daily sodium intakes in the range of 320 to 420 mg may reduce fertility in broiler breeders.