The Toxicity of Sodium Chloride and its Relation to Water Intake in Baby Chicks

Abstract

THE amount of sodium chloride required for normal growth and production of the fowl is subject to considerable variations. Sjollema (1935) reviewed a feeding experiment in which day-old chicks fed basal rations containing .033 and .086 per cent sodium chloride failed to grow satisfactorily. Prentice (1933) reported that 0.5 percent of common salt in the mash supplied to young chicks is essential for satisfactory growth, resistance to disease, economical utilization of feed, and early maturity in the pullets. The amount of salt added to a mash depends upon the variable amount of salt found in such feeds as meat meal, fish meal and dried milk. Halpin, Holmes, and Hart (1934) reported that 0.5 percent added salt will meet all needs for growth or production and maintenance. The chicken can tolerate considerably more salt than it needs. Mitchell, Card, and Carman (1926) reported that chickens 9 to 21 weeks old were . . .