Dietary anion variation on absolute weight and carcass and prime cuts yield for broilers in southern of Mato Grosso State, Brazil

Abstract

This work was conducted to determine the best electrolyte balance (EB) for broilers considering live weight at 42 days and carcass and prime cuts yield. Eight hundred and sixty-four Cobb male broilers were fed corn-soybean based diets supplemented with NH4Cl to obtain the following EB levels: -50, 0, 50, 100, 150, and 200 mEq/kg. A block randomized design with six replicates and 24 birds per experimental unit was used. The EB levels affected the live weight at 42 days and the carcass and prime cuts absolute weights, showing that the level of 200 mEq/kg is the most appropriated. The relative weight of carcass and prime cuts were not affect by the EB level. High dietary clorine levels affected the live weight and carcass and prime cuts weights. It is recommended levels of EB of at least 200 mEq/kg for broilers reared at southern of Mato Grosso state, based on the evaluated characteristics.