EFFECT OF PROPOLIS AS NATURAL SUPPLEMENT ON PRODUCTIVE AND PHYSIOLOGICAL PERFORMANCE OF BROILERS

: This study was carried out on 180, 1-day old, unsexed broiler chicks to evaluate the effect of propolis on growth and immunological parameters, and some biochemical parameters. Chicks were divided into 6 equal groups with 30 chicks in each group and each subgroup was allotted into 5 replicates (6 each) in a complete randomized design. The dietary treatments were control (without supplementation), Tylosin at 100 mg/kg diet (as a positive control), and propolis at levels of 100,200,300 and 400 mg/kg diet. The study resulted that adding propolis to broiler’s diets improved body weight, and body weight gain. Chicks fed on diets supplemented with propolis were significantly decrease their feed consumption. On contrary, chicks consumed the maximum quantity of feed from the control diet. The best ratio in FCR was recorded in chicks fed on 300 mg propolis. Propolis caused significant decreases (P ≤ 0.01and 0.001) in red blood cell (RBC) counts, packed cell volume (PCV), and hemoglobin (Hb). While a nonsignificant increase in white blood cell (WBCs) counts was detected. Serum total lipids, cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein, and triglycerides significantly decreased (P ≤ 0.01) with the inclusion of different levels of propolis and Tylosin as compared to the control group. The results showed a significantly increased (P ≤ 0.001) in serum total antioxidant capacity and a significantly decreased (P ≤ 0.05) in malondialdehyde (MDA) compared to the control group. These results mean that supplementing the dietary with propolis might be useful in productive parameters and can be used as an alternative antibiotic in broiler diets.