title: Incorporation of sodium bicarbonate into laying rations. I. Effect on egg production and hatchability.
abstract: Two experiments were carried out on Fayoumi (I) and Rhode Island Red (II) pullets to study the effect of substituting NaCl (0.67% of the ration) by NaHCO3 (1% of the ration) and the concentration of NaHCO3 (1% and 2% of the ration). Both breeds showed different reactions to the NaHCO3 additions: the laying increased in (I) by 5-6%, whereas it decreased in (II) by 7-14%. Fertility and hatchability increased significantly. The Ca content of the shells showed an increasing trend. The incorporation of 1% sodium bicarbonate into the laying rations is recommended under the conditions of the AR Egypt.
mesh_terms: D000821:Animal Feed; D000818:Animals; D001639:Bicarbonates / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D002645:Chickens / Q000502:physiology*; D004531:Eggs; D005260:Female; D005298:Fertility / Q000187:drug effects; D005527:Food, Fortified
chemical_list: D001639:Bicarbonates