A trial was carried out with 2,880 day old chicks to evaluate different sources of sodium (Na+) and Na+:Cl- ratio in diets. Water and diets were available in "ad libitum" feeding. Experimental design was completely randomized with four treatments and six repetitions. The performance (feed intake, body weight, feed conversion and mortality) was not affected (P>0.05) by treatments, but different levels and sources of Na+ increased litter moisture. The NaHCO3 can be used in chicken broilers diets in partial substitution of Na for day 1 to 47.
sodium bicarbonate; litter; sodium chloride; performance
