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Abstract The present work was performed to study the effect of ascorbic acid (AA) and Potassium Chloride (KCL) when supplemented to drinking water under different stoking density on the productive and physiological performance of broiler chicks during summer season. At the beginning of the experiment a total number of 756 chicks from commercial broiler (Hubbard) were divided into three treatments with three replicates. The first treatment was supplemented with 1gm/litter AA in drinking water. The second treatment was supplemented with 3gm KCL/litter. The third treatment served as control and received tap water. Each treatment was distributed into three groups according to the flock density (10, 8, and 6 birds/m2). The results can be summarized as follows: A. Productive measurements 1. Effect of anti-stressor The supplementation of AA or KCL improved body weight, and FCR but decreased feed consumption, mortality rate and the cost of producing 1kg live body weight. However, supplementation of KCL increased water consumption as compared to the control and AA treatment. 2. Effect of stoking density The broiler chicks housed at 8 and 6 birds/m2 were slightly heavier than those housed at 10 birds/m2.Feed consumption and water consumption were decreased as bird’s density increased. Feed conversion and mortality rat were increased as density increased. B. Physiological measurements 1. Effect of anti-stressor The supplementation of AA or KCL reduced body temperature and pH. However, supplementation of KCL reduced both of respiration rate, PCV, and Hb. In addition it increased plasma K+ and CL- concentration as compared with AA and control. AA increased total proteins level, T3 hormone, HI antibody titer against NDV and CBH followed by KCL. But it was reduced the plasma cholesterol and plasma glucose concentration followed by KCL, compared to control. 2. Effect of stoking density With respect to stoking density of birds, body temperature, respiration rate, pH and potassium concentration were increased as density bird’s increased. No effect on PCV, Hb, plasma cholesterol, glucose, TP and CL- concentrations. |