We evaluated different levels of chlorine in the feed on the blood parameters and bone development of quail for meat production. 384 Italian quails were used at 1-49 days of age, distributed in a completely randomized design with six treatments and eight replicates of eight birds. The treatments consisted of isonutrient diets, except for the level of chlorine, which were 0.07, 0.12, 0.17, 0.22, 0.27 and 0.32%. After 49 days, two birds were selected per plot for the collection of blood and tibia. The pH and the concentration of Na, K and Cl in the blood and the length, diameter, weight, dry matter and ash, Seedor index, breaking strength and deformity of the tibia were evaluated. The chlorine levels in the diet did not significantly influence the pH, the concentrations of Na, Cl, K blood, length, diameter, weight, Seedor index, dry matter and ash, crack resistance and deformity of the tibia. As the results, the level of chloride can range from 0.07 to 0.32%, without changing the pH and the concentrations of Na, K and Cl in the blood and without a loss in bone quality.
bone development; acid-base balance; Seedor index
