Poultry Drinking Water Additive

Abstract

A method of reducing respiratory alkalosis (high blood pH) and enhancing productivity (rate of weight gain) in poultry during periods of chronic or acute heat stress (high heat and humidity) involving the steps of supplementing the birds' diet (feedstuffs and/or water) with acids (hydrogen ion donor) and bicarbonate donors (NaHCO.sub.3) or supplementing the birds' drinking water with additional potassium ion (e.g. KCl or K.sub.2 CO.sub.3) and/or ammonium chloride with or without NaHCO.sub.3 and ascorbic acid. The addition of an acid donor as a poultry feed or water additive and the use of additional potassium in the drinking water significantly reduces the alkalosis induced mortality rate and enhances the rate of weight gain (up to 30 percent). By including NaHCO.sub.3 in the feed ration, the rate of gain is further enhanced (an additional 9 percent). The further intention addition of a sodium free, chloride ion donor also promotes increased rate of gain. The use of a H.sub.2 antagonist (cimetidine) to reduce stomach acid production is also beneficial to increase growth rate and mortality by reducing blood pH.