The effect of environmental temperature and sodium intake on 22Na retention.

A total of 60 broiler-type birds three weeks of age were divided into two groups and acclimated for three weeks at either 8 degrees or 30 degrees C. Twenty birds from each environment were fed conventional broiler ration and ten birds were fed a ration with no sodium chloride added. The 22Na retention was significantly higher in birds acclimated at 30 degrees C., than in those held at the 8 degrees C. environment. Birds receiving a diet with normal sodium intake had a significantly lower 22Na retention than those receiving a sodium deficient diet. There was no significant differences in 22Na retention between the birds from the two environmental temperatures receiving low sodium intake. It was concluded that the sodium intake had a greater effect on sodium retention than the effect of the environmental temperature.