The effects on the performance of broilers consuming calcium, potassium, and sodium nitrates and nitrites from the drinking water

Abstract

Four experiments were carried out with broiler chicks from day-old to three or four weeks of age to assess the effects of nitrates and nitrites from calcium, potassium, and sodium salts in the drinking water of broilers on growth, body weights, feed utilization, blood chemistries, liver tissues, and lipid oxidation of breast and thigh tissues. Body weights were lower (P<.05) among chicks consuming calcium nitrate than those of chicks consuming sodium nitrate or the control. Chicks consuming calcium nitrate (Ca(NO₃)₂) at 1000 ppm had lower (P<.05) body weights than those drinking Ca(NO₃)₂ at 0, 50, or 200 ppm. Broilers receiving 1000 ppm of calcium nitrite (Ca(NO₂)₂) had depressed body weights when compared to chicks consuming 0, 50, or 200 ppm of Ca(NO₂)₂. Consumption of sodium nitrate (NaNO₃) at 2033 ppm reduced (P<.05) broiler weights in comparison to broilers ingesting 0, 111, or 427 ppm of NaNO₃. Feed utilization was less efficient (P<.05) by chicks ingesting Ca(NO₃)₂ and calcium, potassium, or sodium salts of nitrite when compared with the control.