Two experiment were carried out using 520 one-day old male broilers to evaluate the effect of crude protein and of electrolytic balance ( Na+K-Cl) in starter diet on broilers performance. The experiment I (1 to 7 days of age) was accomplished in batteries, being used 160 one-day old male 'Cobb", in the experiment II (1 to 21 days of age), used 360 one-day old male "Avian Farms" that were housed in an shed experimental, divide in box. In the two experiments, the birds were heated with infrared lamps and they received water and ration at large. Experimental designs were completely randomized factorial 2x2 (proteins levels and Mongin of number) with five replications of eight birds each for experiment I and factorial 2x3 (proteins levels and Mongin of number) with three replications of twenty birds each for experiment II. The level of potassium was maintained constant, the levels of Na and Cl were varied to obtain the electrolytic balance. The performances parameters (feed intake (g), weight gain (g) and feed:gain) were analyzed in the end of each experimental phase. In both experiments there was no interaction between crude protein and electrolytic balance. The crude protein levels (21 and 23,5 %) did not influenced the broilers performance. In pre-starter and starter diets the best performance was obtained with electrolytic balance of 260 mEq/kg.
broilers; electrolytic balance; starter period
