A total of 120 1-day-old broilers (half female and half male) were randomly divided into four groups with 6 replicates per group: control, 2.5 mg/kg ZEN, microbial inhibition, and microbial inhibition +2.5 mg/kg ZEN. The two microbial inhibition groups received a basic diet containing streptomycin (1 g/kg, Biosharp, Shanghai, China), ampicillin (1 g/kg, Biosharp, Shanghai, China), and neomycin (1 g/kg, Yuanye, Shanghai, China) to clear intestinal bacteria [30 (link)]. ZEN and antibiotics were mixed in powdery feed using a stepwise dilution method. During the entire 3-week experimental period, broilers were reared in three-layer cages, the temperature was adjusted using a warm lamp, and water was supplied to the broiler chickens ad libitum. Ethical guidelines for animal protection rights were observed.
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