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The effects of tea polyphenols on the caecal flora and caecal metabolites were studied in eight 24-d-old and eight 56-d-old chickens, which consumed a basal diet (control) or the diet supplemented with tea polyphenols (2 g/kg diet) for periods of up to 56d of age. On day 24 of tea polyphenols administration, the number of total bacteria and bacteroidaceae significantly decreased ( P < 0.01 ), but staphylococci increased (P <: 0.05). The frequency of the occurrences of pseudomonads and yeasts significantly increased (P < 0.05), but that of moulds decreased (P < 0.01). Also, caecal concentrations of ammonia (P