Potassium phosphate and potassium carbonate administration by feed or drinking water improved broiler performance, bone strength, digestive phosphatase activity and phosphorus digestibility under induced heat stress conditions.

Potassium phosphate (KHPO) and potassium carbonate (KCO) administration by feed or water were evaluated on broiler performance, bone strength, alkaline phosphatase activity (ALP), and phosphorus digestibility under heat stress and high chloride condition. Experimental groups include control; 15 cc/kg KHPO; 30 cc/kg KHPO; 15 cc/l KHPO; and 3.7 g/kg KCO. Body weight (BW), feed and water consumption, plasma potassium, phosphorus, and calcium concentration along with plasma and digestive ALP and intestinal digesta pH were measured during the trial. Tibia ash, calcium and phosphorus content, and breaking strength were measured on days 21 and 42 and phosphorus digestibility on day 36 of age. As a result of this, study feed and water consumption was increased by supplementation of the feed or water with KHPO (P ≤ 0.001). KHPO increased body weight at 42 days of age (P ≤ 0.001). Tibia ash and phosphorus content was increased by KHPO supplementation (P ≤ 0.004; P ≤ 0.003). KCO did increased tibia ash but not changed tibia phosphorus content significantly. Tibia shear force, shear energy, extension, and length were improved by KHPO administration at 42 days of age (P ≤ 0.001). Administration of either feed or water with KHPO increased plasma potassium, phosphorus, and calcium concentration at 21 days of age, whereas KCO reduced plasma potassium at 21 days of age (P ≤ 0.05). Plasma ALP reduced by addition of 15 cc KHPO and KCO to diets at 42 days of age, whereas digestive ALP was increased by inclusion of KHPO and not by KCO. Supplementation of either feed or water with KHPO increased phosphorus digestibility, whereas KCO reduced phosphorus digestibility (P ≤ 0.003). Jejunum and ileum pH was reduced by KHPO or by KCO at 21 and 42 days of age (P ≤ 0.006; (P ≤ 0.05). Over all, results of current study revealed that KHPO can be a suitable potassium salt choice instead of KCL in hot weather conditions especially when the water or diet contains high levels of chloride.