Effects of dietary supplemental sodium bicarbonate on some egg characteristics and blood parameters in Japanese Quail reared under high enviromental temperature [Sicak Koşullarda Karma Yeme Sodyum Bikarbonat Katkisinin Yumurtaci Bildircinlarin Yumurta Verim Özellikleri ve Bazi Kan Parametreleri Üzerine Etkileri]

The aim of this study was to determine the effects of dietary supplemental sodium bicarbonate on egg production, egg weight, shell quality, feed conversion efficiency, blood pH, plasma Na+ values and blood gas in Japanese quail Layers reared under high environmental temperature. In this study, 9 weeks old 60 female Japanese quail Layers were used and divided equally into two groups. The control group was fed with basal diet where the second group was fed with a diet containing 0.2 % NaHCO3. The results showed that, NaHCO3 supplementation improved egg production (%), shape index (%) and egg shell weight (gr) (P<0.05) significantly. There was no effect on egg shell thickness and feed conversion efficiency. Plazma Na+ value remained unchanged. Blood pH was similar between groups before ovulation however significant difference appeared after ovulation. HCO3- and CO2 concentrations (mmol/L) of group fed with supplemented diet were found low before ovulation. However, after ovulation, same value has been found high when compared to the control group. In both groups pCO2 decreased and pO2 increased after ovulation