
%0 Journal Article
%A Balnave, D 
%A Oliva, AG 
%T The influence of sodium bicarbonate and sulfur amino acids on the performance of broilers at moderate and high temperaures
%J Australian Journal of Agricultural Research
%D 1991/11/01
%V 42
%N 8
%P 1385-1397
%K broilers;sodium bicarbonate;high temperatures;
%R https://doi.org/10.1071/AR9911385
%U https://www.publish.csiro.au/paper/AR9911385 
%X Supplements of sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3) added to the diet or drinking water of finishing broilers (3-6 weeks of age) improved food intake, live weight gain and food efficiency at high (30¦C), but not at moderate (2l¦C), temperatures. The improved performance was not related to increases in amino acid digestibilities which were reduced in birds kept at 30¦C. Increased consumption of drinking water appears to be a major prerequisite for the improved performance at high temperatures. The methionine : total sulfur amino acid (TSAA) ratio of the diets also influenced broiler performance at 30¦C with ratios of 0.43 and 0.55 giving superior growth and food conversion to a ratio of 0.62. The intake of drinking water and the water : food intake ratio were significantly reduced at the dietary methionine : TSAA ratio of 0.62, the effect being significant when the drinking water contained NaHCO3. 
