The effect of different levels of propolis in diets on performance, gastrointestinal morphology and some blood parameters in broiler chickens

Abstract

A study was conducted to determine the effect of different levels of propolis in diets on performance, carcass characteristics, gastrointestinal morphology and some blood parameters in broiler chickens. A total of 224 one day-old Ross 308 chicks were randomly allocated to one of the 16 floor pens in a completely randomised design (four treatments, four replicate groups, 14 chicks in each group). Dietary treatments consisted of 4 different levels of propolis powder including zero (control), 500, 1500, 2000 ppm in the diet throughout the entire experimental period (42 days). The feed was offered ad libitum. All the chickens were grown up in the same environmental and management conditions. Body weight gain, food intake and feed conversion ratio were measured at the end of each period, also, the production index was calculated at 42 days of age. At the end of experimental period, two chicks from each pen were selected and after blood sample collection were slaughtered and dissected manually. Haematological and biochemical parameters as well as carcass characteristics, gastrointes-tinal morphology were determined. The use of 2000 parts per million propolis powder in diet im-proved body weight gain, feed intake, feed conversion ratio and production index at all experimental periods (P<0.05). High dietary levels of propolis powder in diets increased the relative weight of crop, thighs and length of gizzard compared to other treatments, and decreased the relative weight of livers of broiler chickens (P<0.05). PCV and heterophil counts were significantly increased (P<0.05). It is suggested that the supplementation of propolis powder to poultry diets had a positive effect on growth performance, carcass characteristics and blood parameters