Níveis dietéticos de potássio para poedeiras comerciais leves em final de ciclo de produção

Abstract

The objective in this study was to determine the need for dietary potassium supplementation with (Na+K)/Cl fixed or free diet for laying hens. Two trials were conducted in conjunction, and were composed by 924 laying hens Hy - Line - W 36 at the end of the production cycle, with 71 weeks of age. In the trial 1 was maintained electrolyte ratio (Na+K)/Cl fixed and in the trial 2 electrolyte ratio (Na+K)/Cl free. In each experiment the hens were distributed in a completely randomized design with six treatments and seven repetitions of 12 hens per experimental unit. Potassium levels evaluated in the two experiments were 0.580; 0.680; 0.780; 0.880 and 0.980%, and a control treatment without potassium supplementation. The research had duration of 84 days divided into four periods of 21 days, being evaluated the performance (egg production, egg weight, feed intake, feed conversion and viable eggs), egg quality (Haugh unit, shell thickness, specific weight, eggshell percentage and shell weight per unit surface area), hens weight, dry matter of feces and blood analysis (pH, pCO2, HCO3-, Cl, Na and K). It was concluded that dietary supplementation of potassium is not necessary with (Na+K)/Cl fixed or free diet for light commercial laying hens at the end of the production cycle.