A Study on the Effects of Weichangning on Growth Performance and Health Status of Yellow-Feathered Broilers

           This study used yellow-feathered broilers as the research subject, aiming to investigate how coated tannins (Weichangning) affect the growth performance and intestinal health of these chickens, thereby providing a scientific basis for the practical application of Weichangning.

Materials and Methods

Experimental Design and Grouping

Table 1: Experimental Design

Note: Weichangning is coated with natural plant tannins, containing an effective tannin content of ≥50%.

       This experiment selected 1,278 30-day-old yellow-feathered broiler chickens with an average body weight of approximately 0.641 ± 0.001 kg, all in good health and exhibiting normal growth and development. The birds were randomly divided into three treatment groups, with each group consisting of three replicates, each containing 142 chickens. Body weights were recorded at 31 days, 43 days, and 60 days of age, and the entire trial lasted 30 days.

Test location and time: The trial was conducted at a chicken farm belonging to a certain group in Guangdong, lasting from June 5 to July 6, 2024—totaling 30 days.

Test diet: The experimental diet was a corn-soybean meal-based basal diet, formulated in-house by a certain group based in Guangdong. Weichangning (enteric-coated tannin) was provided by Guangdong NanKun Biotechnology Co., Ltd.

Test indicator measurement: Daily record feed intake, the number and weight of culled chickens, and calculate average daily gain, daily feed consumption, feed-to-meat ratio, and mortality rate for each phase during the trial period.

Results and Analysis

Impact on the Growth Performance of White Broiler Chickens

Table 2: Body Weights (kg) of White Feather Broilers at Different Ages

Note: Data in the same column with identical letters indicate no significant difference. P >0.05), different lowercase letters indicate significant differences P <0.05), same as in the table below.

As shown in Table 2, adding 250–300 g/t of coated tannin (Weichangning) to the diet of yellow-feathered broilers significantly improved their final body weight, average daily gain, and feed-to-gain ratio, demonstrating a positive impact on the birds' growth performance.

Impact on the Health of White Broiler Chickens

Table 3: Survival Rate (%) of White-Legged Broilers in Different Experimental Groups

As shown in Table 3, aside from one chicken dying in the control group, the overall flock remained in excellent health, confirming that the poultry environment was well-maintained, management practices were thorough, and the feed rations were fresh and safe.

Stool score versus stool water content

Table 4: Fecal Scores and Moisture Content of White-Legged Broilers in Different Experimental Groups

As shown in Table 4, the results indicate that adding coated tannins to the chickens' diet can further and effectively improve intestinal health, reducing the incidence of watery droppings in the flock.

Conclusion