J. Appl. Poult. Res.
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J APPL POULT RES 2008. 17:141-144. doi:10.3382/japr.2007-00087
© 2008 Poultry Science Association
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Research Reports

Effect of Ascorbic Acid, Acetylsalicylic Acid, Sodium Bicarbonate, and Potassium Chloride Supplementation in Water on the Performance of Broiler Chickens Exposed to Heat Stress1

D. A. Roussan*,2, G. Y. Khwaldeh*, R. R. Haddad*, I. A. Shaheen*, G. Salameh* and R. Al Rifai{dagger}

* Provimi-Jordan, PO Box 499, Amman 11118, Jordan; and {dagger} Department of Disease Surveillance, Irbid Health Directorate, Jordanian Ministry of Health, PO Box 221, Irbid 22110, Jordan

2 Corresponding author: droussan{at}provimi.com.jo


   SUMMARY
TOP
 SUMMARY
DESCRIPTION OF PROBLEM
 MATERIALS AND METHODS
 RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
 CONCLUSIONS AND APPLICATIONS
 REFERENCES AND NOTES
 
This study investigated the effects of continuous supplementation of ascorbic acid (62.5 mg/L), acetylsalicylic acid (ASA; 62.5 mg/L), sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3; 75 mg/L), and potassium chloride (KCl; 125 mg/L) in water on heat-exposed broilers. A total of 225 female Ross broiler chickens, 35 d of age, were randomly assigned to 3 treatment groups, with 3 replicates of 25 birds each. The birds were exposed to cyclic temperatures (30 to 33°C for 12 h, and 21 to 23°C for 12 h) and supplemented with ascorbic acid, ASA, KCl, and NaHCO3 [heat-stress supplemented (HS-SUP) group], or were exposed to cyclic temperatures (30 to 33°C for 12 h, and 21 to 23°C for 12 h) but not supplemented [heat-stress nonsupplemented (HS-NON) group]; the other birds were kept under thermoneutral conditions (21 to 23°C) and not supplemented (control group). The duration of the experiment was 7 d. Birds in the control group had better (P < 0.05) live BW and gain, total feed consumption, FCR, and mortality rate (%) than birds in the HS-SUP and HS-NON groups, whereas birds in the HS-SUP group had better (P < 0.05) live BW and gain, total feed consumption, FCR, and mortality rate (%) than birds in the HS-NON group. The results of this study suggest that ascorbic acid, ASA, KCl, and NaHCO3 in combination offer a potential protective management practice for preventing heat stress-related depression in the performance of broiler chickens.

Key Words: acetylsalicylic acid • broiler • heat stress • potassium chloride • sodium bicarbonate • ascorbic acid


   DESCRIPTION OF PROBLEM
TOP
 SUMMARY
 DESCRIPTION OF PROBLEM
MATERIALS AND METHODS
 RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
 CONCLUSIONS AND APPLICATIONS
 REFERENCES AND NOTES
 
The negative effects of high temperatures on poultry performance can be minimized by the use of appropriate housing design, installation of cooling systems, feed formulations designed according to feed intake and weather conditions, and the use of electrolytes, ascorbic acid, or acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) in the drinking water of birds [1–3]. Different therapeutic measures have been used to minimize the harmful effects of heat stress on the performance of broiler chickens, such as ascorbic acid [3–5], ASA [3, 5], potassium chloride (KCl) [2, 6], and sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3) [2, 6, 7]. However, the combined effect of ascorbic acid, ASA, NaHCO3, and KCl supplementation in water on the performance of heat-exposed broilers has apparently not been studied.

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects on live BW, feed intake, FCR, and survivability of the combined use of ascorbic acid, ASA, NaHCO3, and KCl supplementation in the water of heat-exposed broilers.


   MATERIALS AND METHODS
TOP
 SUMMARY
 DESCRIPTION OF PROBLEM
 MATERIALS AND METHODS
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
 CONCLUSIONS AND APPLICATIONS
 REFERENCES AND NOTES
 
Animals and Design
A total of 225 healthy female Ross broiler chickens at 21 d of age were used in this study. Broiler chickens were obtained from a local farm [8], reared in litter pens from 21 to 34 d of age under temperature conditions recommended by the Ross Broiler Management Guide [9], and monitored to determine whether there were any apparent clinical signs before initiation of the experiment. Broiler chickens were provided with a basal grower feed from 21 to 28 d of age, followed by a finisher feed from 29 to 41 d of age (Table 1Go) and water ad libitum. At 35 d of age, broiler chickens were randomly assigned to 3 treatment groups, with 3 replicates of 25 birds each. Each group was supplied with a trough feeder and an automatic cup drinker. The birds were exposed to cyclic temperatures (30 to 33°C for 12 h, and 21 to 23°C for 12 h) and were supplemented ad libitum with ascorbic acid (62.5 mg/L), ASA (62.5 mg/L), KCl (125 mg/L), and NaHCO3 (75 mg/L) [10] in the water throughout the experimental period, and the water was changed every day [heat-stress supplemented (HS-SUP) group], or exposed to cyclic temperatures (30 to 33°C for 12 h, and 21 to 23°C for 12 h) and not supplemented [heat-stress nonsupplemented (HS-NON) group]. The other birds were kept under thermoneutral conditions (21 to 23°C) and not supplemented (control group). The duration of the experiment was 7 d. The lighting program before and during the experiments was as recommended by the Ross Broiler Management Guide [9]. Feed intake, BW, and body gain were recorded at the end of experiment, and mortality was recorded daily. Feed intake values were adjusted for mortality to the nearest day. The FCR was calculated at the end of the experiment as total feed consumed divided by the weight of live and dead birds.


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  		Table 1. Ingredients and chemical analyses of the grower and finisher diets fed to broiler chickens
 
Statistical Analysis
All the means of experimental treatments were analyzed by ANOVA with the GLM procedure of SAS [11]. When a significant (P < 0.05) F statistic was noted, treatment means were separated by using Duncan’s multiple range test.


   RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
TOP
 SUMMARY
 DESCRIPTION OF PROBLEM
 MATERIALS AND METHODS
 RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
CONCLUSIONS AND APPLICATIONS
 REFERENCES AND NOTES
 
Results of this study indicated that birds in the control group exhibited better (P < 0.05) live BW and gain, total feed consumption, FCR, and mortality rate (%) than birds in the HS-SUP and HS-NON groups (Table 2Go). This meant that heat stress resulted in decreased live BW, live BW gain, and total feed consumption [12, 13], as well as in increased FCR and mortality rate (%) [14–17].


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  		Table 2. Mean ± SE of live BW (g/bird), live BW gain (g/bird), total feed consumption (g/bird), accumulated FCR, and mortality rate (%), from 35-d-old (beginning of the experiment) to 42-d-old (end of the experiment) broilers
 
The growth rates of broilers exposed to cyclic temperatures were depressed by 149 g/bird (HS-SUP group) and 256 g/bird (HS-NO group) compared with birds in the control group. However, the growth rate of birds in the HS-SUP group was significantly (P < 0.05) better than that of birds in the HS-NON group. The depression in growth rate and in BW gain at high environmental temperatures of 30 to 33°C (Table 2Go) might have been caused by many factors, including decreased feed consumption [18], inefficient digestion [19], impaired metabolism [20], and genetic background [21].

The total mortality rate and FCR of birds in the HS-SUP and HS-NON groups were significantly (P < 0.05) greater than those of birds in the control group, whereas the FCR and total mortality rate of birds in the HS-NON group were significantly (P < 0.05) greater than those in the HS-SUP group. This clearly indicates that a significantly (P < 0.05) lower mortality rate and FCR occurred under cycling heat stress temperatures when ascorbic acid, ASA, KCl, and NaHCO3 were supplemented. This finding was similar to reports from earlier studies [13, 22]. The poor FCR obtained during cyclic heat stress in this experiment might be related to decreased feed consumption, decreased feed utilization (insufficient digestion), or both. The high mortality of broilers in hot environments might have been due to inefficient evaporative cooling, which may have led to an increased body heat load. This accumulation of heat may have caused a continued increase in body temperature until the birds died from heat prostration [7, 23].

Poultry have the ability to synthesize ascorbic acid, but this ability is inadequate under stress conditions, such as high environmental temperatures, high humidity, a high productive rate, and parasitic infestation [24]. Pardue and Thaxton [24] documented evidence that particular environmental stressors can alter the use or synthesis of ascorbic acid in poultry. Therefore, supplementation of ascorbic acid in water is necessary during heat stress, based on the results of their study. Table 2Go shows that broilers in the HS-SUP group had significantly (P < 0.05) better live BW and gain, total feed consumption, FCR, and mortality rate (%) than birds in the HS-NON group. These results support those of Keskin and Durgan [25] and Naseem et al. [2], who reported that KCl and NaHCO3 improved the performance of birds during heat stress. Niokue [26], Sahota et al. [16], and Naseem et al. [3] reported that ascorbic acid improved the FCR. Sharma and Bhatti [27] reported that ASA improved the FCR.


   CONCLUSIONS AND APPLICATIONS
TOP
 SUMMARY
 DESCRIPTION OF PROBLEM
 MATERIALS AND METHODS
 RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
 CONCLUSIONS AND APPLICATIONS
REFERENCES AND NOTES
 

  1. Distressed broilers responded positively to continuous supplementation of ascorbic acid, ASA, KCl, and NaHCO3 in water throughout the periods of heat stress (for 1 wk), as evidenced by live BW and gain, total feed consumption, FCR, and mortality rate (%).
  2. Ascorbic acid, ASA, KCl, and NaHCO3 are recommended in heat-stressed birds.


   ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
 
This study was funded by Provimi-Jordan. The authors wish to thank Paul Gerady (general manager, Provimi-Jordan). Our deepest gratitude is also extended to Reinder Prack, Waheed Totanji, and all members of Provimi-Jordan.


   FOOTNOTES
 
1 Mention of trade names or commercial products in this publication is solely to provide specific information and does not imply a recommendation or endorsement by authors. Back


   REFERENCES AND NOTES
TOP
 SUMMARY
 DESCRIPTION OF PROBLEM
 MATERIALS AND METHODS
 RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
 CONCLUSIONS AND APPLICATIONS
 REFERENCES AND NOTES
 

  1. Brake, J., P. Ferket, J. Grimes, D. Balnave, J. Gorman, and J. J. Dibner. 1994. Optimum arginine:lysine ratio changes in hot weather. Pages 82–104 in Proc. 21st Annu. Carolina Poult. Nutr. Conf., Charlotte, NC. N. C. State Univ., Raleigh.
  2. Naseem, M. T., S. Naseem, M. Younus, I. C. Zafar, G. Aamir, A. Asim, and S. Akhter. 2005. Effect of potassium chloride and sodium bicarbonate supplementation on thermo-tolerance of broilers exposed to heat stress. Int. J. Poult. Sci. 4:891–895.
  3. Naseem, S., M. Younus, A. Bilal, G. Aamir, A. Asim, and S. Akhter. 2005. Effect of ascorbic acid and acetylsalicylic acid supplementation on performance of broiler chicks exposed to heat stress. Int. J. Poult. Sci. 4:900–904.
  4. Cier, D., Y. Rimsky, N. Rand, O. Polishuk, N. Gur, A. B. Shoshan, Y. Frish, and A. B. Moshe. 1992. The effect of supplementing ascorbic acid on broiler performance under summer conditions. Pages 586–589 in Proc. 19th World’s Poult. Congr., Amsterdam, the Netherlands. Vol. 1. WPSA (Dutch Branch), Wageningen, the Netherlands.
  5. Stilborn, H. L., G. C. Harris, W. G. Bottje, and P. W. Waldroup. 1988. Ascorbic acid and acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin) in the diet of broilers maintained under heat stress conditions. Poult. Sci. 67:1183–1187.[Medline]
  6. Smith, M. T., and R. G. Teeter. 1992. Effects of potassium chloride supplementation on growth of heat distressed broilers. J. Appl. Poult. Res. 1:321–324.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  7. Branton, S. L., F. N. Reece, and J. W. Deaton. 1986. Use of ammonium chloride and sodium bicarbonate in acute heat exposure of broilers. Poult. Sci. 65:1659–1663.[Web of Science][Medline]
  8. Jordan Poultry Processing and Marketing Co., Amman, Jordan.
  9. Ross Broiler Management Guide. Ross Broilers Inc., Elkmont, AL.
  10. ProviActive, Provimi-Jordan Co., Amman, Jordan.
  11. SAS Institute. 2001. The SAS System for Windows. Release 8.02. SAS Inst. Inc., Cary, NC.
  12. Leeson, S., J. D. Summers, and L. J. Caston. 1992. Responses of broilers to feed restriction or diet dilution in the finisher period. Poult. Sci. 71:2056–2064.[Medline]
  13. Teeter, R. G., and M. O. Smith. 1986. High chronic ambient temperature stress effects on broiler acid-base balance and their response to supplemental ammonium chloride, potassium chloride and potassium carbonate. Poult. Sci. 65:1777–1781.[Web of Science][Medline]
  14. Chen, J., X. Li, D. Balnave, and J. Brake. 2005. The influence of dietary sodium chloride, arginine:lysine ratio, and methionine source on apparent ileal digestibility of arginine and lysine in acutely heat-stressed broilers. Poult. Sci. 84:294–297.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
  15. Pardue, S. L., J. P. Thaxton, and J. Brake. 1985. Influence of supplemental ascorbic acid on broiler performance following exposure to high temperature. Poult. Sci. 64:1334–1338.[Medline]
  16. Sahota, A. W., A. H. Gillani, and M. F. Ullah. 1998. Comparative study on growth performance and body temperature of Lyallpur Silver Black and White Leghorn chicks subjected to heat stress. Pak. J. Livest. Res. 8:66–69.
  17. Yahav, S., A. Straschnow, I. Plavnik, and S. Hurwitz. 1996. Effects of diurnal cycling versus constant temperatures on chicken growth and food intake. Br. Poult. Sci. 37:43–54.[Web of Science][Medline]
  18. Emmans, G. C., and D. R. Charles. 1989. Climatic Environment and Poultry Feeding in Practice. 1st ed. Anchor Press Ltd., Essex, UK.
  19. Har, L., D. Rong, and Z. A. Zhang. 2000. The effect of thermal environment on the digestion of broilers. J. Anim. Physiol. Anim. Nutr. (Berl.) 83:57–64.
  20. Farrell, D. J., and S. Swain. 1977. Effects of temperature treatments on the energy and nitrogen metabolism of fed chickens. Br. Poult. Sci. 18:735–748.[CrossRef][Medline]
  21. Cahaner, A., Y. Pinchasov, I. Nir, and Z. Nitsan. 1995. Effect of high dietary protein under high ambient temperature on body weight, breast meat yield and abdominal fat deposition of broiler stocks differing in growth rate and fatness. Poult. Sci. 74:968–975.[Web of Science][Medline]
  22. Smith, M. O. 1993. Parts yield of broilers reared under cycling high temperature. Poult. Sci. 72:1146–1150.[Web of Science]
  23. Kutlu, H. R. 1996. Effect of feeding on performance of broiler chicks exposed to heat stress. Farmavet. Bull. 3:1–8.
  24. Pardue, S. L., and J. P. Thaxton. 1986. Ascorbic acid in poultry. A review. World’s Poult. Sci. 42:107–123.[CrossRef]
  25. Keskin, E., and Z. Durgan. 1997. Effects of supplemental NaHCO3, KCl, CaCl2, NHCl4 and CaSO4 on acid-base balance, weight gain and feed intake in Japanese quails exposed to constant chronic heat stress. Pak. Vet. J. 17:60–64.
  26. Niokue, P. C. 1986. Effect of dietary ascorbic acid supplementation of broiler chickens in a tropical environment. Anim. Feed Sci. Technol. 16:17–24.[CrossRef]
  27. Sharma, M. L., and J. S. Bhatti. 1998. Mechanical and chemical control of heat stress in growing White Leghorn pullets. Ind. J. Anim. Prod. Manage. 14:102–105.




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