Effects of quebracho condensed tannin on growth performance, digestibility, health parameters and mortality in chukar partridges chicks

This study aimed to determine the effects of quebracho (Schinopsis balansae) condensed tannin addition to diet on growth performance, feed intake, digestibility, relative carcass and internal organ weights, mortality and the number of Eimeria oocysts in feces of chukar partridge (Alectoris chukar) chicks. Partridge chicks were allocated into 5 treatments and 6 replications, containing 0% (control), 0,25%, 0,5%, 1% and 2% tannin. Twelve chicks were placed in each replication and 72 chicks in each group, having a total of 360 partridge chicks. The experiment lasted 12 weeks, with the first 6 weeks of the starter period and the last 6 weeks of the grower period. It was observed that the effects of quebracho condensed tannin addition to diet did not affect performance, relative carcass, liver, gizzard, stomach and small intestine weights were found to be insignificant, but it reduced the large intestine weight (P < 0,05). Differences between groups in nutrient and mineral digestibility were found to be insignificant but calcium digestibility was found to be decreased in animals given 2% tannin (P < 0,01). Tannin addition to diet does not affect the cecum and feces parameters. It has been observed that tannin reduces the oocyte counts in the 1% and 2% treatments. Condensed tannin did not affect the amount of plasma immune proteins, but viability was observed to increase significantly in the 2% tannin treatment (P < 0,05). As a result, tannin addition to the diet increased the viability of partridge chicks without suppressing growth performance and digestibility, and it was concluded that 2% quebracho condensed tannin could be used in partridge chick rations to decrease mortality.