The effects of propolis supplementation on broiler performance and feed digestibility

The present study investigated the effects of the honey bee product propolis on broiler performance and digestibility of nutrients (dry matter, organic matter, ether extract and crude protein). For this purpose, two experiments were conducted. Fourty nine and fourty eight day-old male broiler chicks (Ross-308) were used in experiments 1 and 2, respectively. Chicks were divided at random into 7 and 4 treatment groups in the first and second experiments, respectively. Propolis was supplemented to diets at levels of 500 or 2000 ppm in experiment 1 and the level of it was increased to 4000 ppm in experiment 2. Chicks were fed with these diets from 0 to 3, 4 to 6 or 0 to 6 weeks of age in both experiments. Propolis supplementation at levels of 500 or 2000 ppm did not significantly improve performance (body weight, feed intake and feed conversion) of male broilers. In the second experiment, supplementation of 4000 ppm propolis to starter diet or both starter and grower diets significantly decreased final body weight and total feed intake of male broiler. But, supplementation of propolis only to the grower diet did not affect body weight and feed intake. Also, significant differences did not occur in feed conversion ratios between treatment groups. Dry matter and organic matter digestibility were not affected by propolis. Propolis supplementation to the starter diet improved the digestibility of ether extract. However, supplementation of propolis to the starter diet had adverse effect on digestibility of crude protein during the grower phase. Overall, under the condition of the experiments propolis could not be recommended as a feed additive in broiler production.