EFFECTS OF SODIUM-BICARBONATE AND POTASSIUM-CHLORIDE DRINKING-WATER SUPPLEMENTATION .1. PERFORMANCE AND EXTERIOR CARCASS QUALITY OF BROILERS GROWN UNDER THERMONEUTRAL OR CYCLIC HEAT-STRESS CONDITIONS

Two broiler trials were conducted using two environmentally controlled chambers. From 4 to 8 wk of age in Trial 1, and from 5 to 8 wk of age in Trial 2, male broilers were grown under either constant environmental conditions [25 C, 50% relative humidity (RH)], or a daily cyclic heat stress period (4 h of 35 to 38 C, 40% RH). One of four water solutions was provided to each of 16 pens per chamber: 1) .5% NaHCO3;2) .5% KC1; 3) .5% KC1 and NaHCO3, or 4) an unsupplemented control of tap water. Seven-wk body weight, 8-wk weight, weight gain, water consumption, infected feather follicle score, prekill and carcass without giblets weight were all significantly (P < .05) affected by environmental treatment in both trials. In Trial 1, a significant effect due to water treatment was detected for infected feather follicle score, with control broilers significantly less afflicted than broilers on the other three water treatments. In Trial 2, a significant (P < .05) temperature treatment effect was detected for abdominal fat pad weight, where differences in fat pad weight were found among water treatments under constant conditions but not under cyclic environmental conditions. These differences in fat pad weight, when expressed as a percentage of carcass weight, were at a probability of .0814. Overall, no appreciable improvements were detected in the broiler production parameters measured under either environmental regimen for the water treatments tested.