The objective of this study was to determine the best sodium nutritional levels for Italian quails in the phase from 1 to 49 days of age. Three hundred and eight-four quails at one day of age were distributed in a completely randomized experimental design with six diets with 0.07; 0.12; 0.17; 0.22; 0.27 and 0.32% sodium, evaluated with eight replicates with eight birds per experimental unit. Levels of sodium, which were better at 0.257%, 0.216%, 0.207% and 0.191%, had a quadratic effect on feed intake, weight gain and yields of carcass and thigh + drumstick, respectively. Increase in sodium level in the ration increased water ingestion but it had a negative effect on feed conversion, which was linearly reduced. Moisture of excreta and breast yield were not affected by levels of sodium. It is recommended that rations for Italian quails in the phase from 1 to 49 days of age to be formulated by using 0.22% of sodium.
carcass yield; electrolyte; moisture of excreta; performance; salt; water consumption
