Effects of chestnut tannin and in combination with quebracho tannin on early-weaned piglets

This study evaluated the effects of a diet containing chestnut tannin or chestnut tannin plus quebracho tannin on the growth performance, diarrhea incidence, fecal moisture content, hematology, and common diarrhea-associated bacteria in weaned piglets. We randomly assigned 36 piglets weaned at 21 days of age to three treatment groups: basal diet (control, C), basal diet + 0.75% chestnut tannin (0.75N), and basal diet + 0.75% chestnut tannin + 0.5% quebracho tannin (MN). After 4 weeks, the rates of diarrhea incidence were 41.7%, 25% and 0% in the C, MN and 0.75N groups, respectively. Both tannin-addition treatments inhibited growth performance, with a significantly lower average daily gain in the 0.75N group than in the C group, and decreased fecal moisture content, but did not produce anti-Escherichia coli or anti-Salmonella effects in the gut. Both tannin treatments decreased piglet red blood cell, hemoglobin, and white blood cell counts. Overall, our results indicate that the incorporation of 0.75% chestnut tannin into the piglet diet effectively reduced post-weaning diarrhea; however, this concentration could negatively impact growth performance and increase the risk of anemia.