Ammonium chloride is mostly utilized as a non-protein nitrogen supplement and an acidity regulator in feed additives. It serves a variety of purposes and is quite important, particularly for poultry and ruminants.
Roles of Ammonium Chloride in Animal Feeding:
1. Ruminants: Preventing Stones and Supplementing Nutrition
Preventing Urinary Calculi: Animal urine’s pH can be efficiently lowered by ammonium chloride, creating a slightly acidic urine environment. This aids in the dissolution of stones such magnesium ammonium phosphate (struvite) and stops them from forming. It greatly lowers urolithiasis-related mortality and financial losses by fattening sheep, cattle, and other animals.
As a Source of Non-Protein Nitrogen: Microorganisms in the rumen can use it as a non-protein nitrogen (NPN) supplement to produce microbial protein. This can partially substitute animal protein in the diet and enhance protein nutrition.
Preventing Postpartum Paralysis in Dairy Cows: Ammonium chloride, a type of anionic salt, effectively prevents postpartum hypocalcemia, also referred to as milk fever, and its secondary conditions, such as retained placenta and metritis, by regulating the anion-cation balance in the bodies of multiparous cows.
2. Poultry: Alleviating Heat Stress
Reducing Respiratory Alkalosis: Poultry, particularly hens, need fast panting to release heat during the hot summer months. Excessive carbon dioxide exhalation results from this, raising blood pH and possibly leading to respiratory alkalosis. In order to efficiently regulate the acid-base balance and reduce heat stress, ammonium chloride can be added to feed or drinking water to acidify the blood.
Enhancing Production Performance: Research indicates that ammonium chloride can enhance poultry’s ability to acquire weight and produce eggs by reducing heat stress. For instance, research suggests that adding 0.2% to 0.3% ammonium chloride to drinking water will cause poultry to grow 10% to 23% more weight.
3. Aquatic Products (Liver Protection)
Ammonium chloride is a drug that can be used in aquaculture to assist fish mend ulcers and preserve liver function.
Ammonium Chloride’s Medicinal and Other Uses:
Expectorant and Antitussive: In veterinary medicine, ammonium chloride stimulates the stomach mucosa when taken orally. This has an expectorant and cough-relieving effect by instinctively increasing secretion from the respiratory tract’s mucous glands, which thins the phlegm and makes it easier to expel.
In summary, ammonium chloride serves a variety of purposes as a feed supplement. It has major advantages for ruminant urinary systems, helps avoid heat stress in poultry, and acts as an expectorant for a variety of animals. Ammonium chloride can be used appropriately to ensure animal health and increase cattle breeding efficiency.
Post time: Feb-26-2026
