1. The performance of 1680 male broiler chickens was measured from one to 42 d of age. They were given diets with three (125, 165 and 205 mEq/kg)
electrolyte balances (
sodium +
potassium - chloride), two sources of added
potassium (carbonate or sulphate) and two
anticoccidial agents (90 mg/kg of either
monensin or
lasalocid). 2. The dietary treatments had no significant effects on the growth performance of broiler chickens in the starter phase. 3. In the finisher phase, the chickens given the diets containing
lasalocid utilised food less efficiently that those given the diets containing
monensin. 4. There were significant interactions between dietary electrolyte balance and source of added
potassium on
body weight gains and food:gain ratios in the finisher phase. In diets with an electrolyte balance of 205 mEq/kg, the inclusion of
potassium sulphate instead of
potassium carbonate increased
body weight gains by 3.4% and reduced food:gain ratios by 4.6%. 5. The
body weight gains of chickens given the finisher diets containing
lasalocid and added
potassium carbonate were reduced by 2.6% compared to those of chickens given the diets containing
monensin or added
potassium sulphate. 6. The litter moisture content was higher in pens with chickens on the diets with an electrolyte balance of 205 mEq/kg than on the diets with either 125 or 165 mEq/kg. Both
lasalocid and
potassium sulphate tended to increase the litter moisture content. 7. It may be concluded that the inclusion of 90 mg/kg of either
monensin or
lasalocid in broiler diets does not alter the balance of
electrolytes required for optimum growth performance of broiler chickens.