Effect of Feeding Propolis on Growth Performance of Broilers

An experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of propolis on broiler performance, carcass characteristics and blood parameters. The experiment was carried out with a completely randomized design of 4 treatments, supplemented with propolis at the rate of 0, 1, 2, and 3 mg/kg diet for 6 weeks. The results indicated that birds diet supplementation with propolis increased body weight (P<0.05), decreased feed intake and improved feed efficiency during the experiment. Carcass traits did not show significant differences for the treatments, with the exception of dressing percentage. The serum total protein and globulins were significantly (P<0.05) increased and the serum cholesterol and triglycerides were significantly (P<0.05) decreased in propolis supplemented broilers. No significant differences were observed in hematological parameters among the different groups. It could be concluded that dietary inclusion of propolis to poultry diets had a positive effect on growth performance and improved the immune response by elevating blood globulins level. Also, it decreases blood cholesterol and triglyceride levels.