Abstract
The objective of this study was to find out the effect of adding potassium chloride (KCl) to drinking water in different concentrations to reduce the negative effect of heat stress in broiler (Faw bro) subjected to rotational heat degree (25-36-25) ºc on some productive and physiological traits. Chicks raised on standard condition for the first 3 weeks. The experimental treatments were starded from 22 days of age to the age of marketing (56 days). The adapted experimental treatments were, treatment (1) was the control (No KCl added) treatment (2) was 0.1% KCl, treatment (3) was 0.3 KCl and treatment (4) was 0.5 % KCl added to drinking water. Feed and water were Ad Lib. Statistical analysis of the data showed significal differences (P≤ 0.05) for live body wt., average weekly weight gain, water consumption, and feed conference conversion ratio, their traits were improved as KCl% increased, while feed consumption body temperature, blood pH, glucose concentration in blood plasma and glycogen concentration in liver and heart were significantly decreased. Data showed no significant differences in other traits (relative growth rate, dress percent, mortality, hemoglobin concentration, packed cell volume and red blood cells). It was observed that water consumption was increased whenever house temperature and KCl concentration were increased, while feed consumption was decreased.
