The effects of propolis and monensin in milk on performance, feed intake and digestibility in Holstein suckling calves

In order to surveying the effect of feeding propolis on performance، feed intake and digestibility in Holstein suckling calves، the experiment was designed in a completely randomized design with 4 treatments (diet) and 10 replicates (cattle) during 52 days. Treatments included: 1. Control (without monensin in starter and without propolis in milk); 2. Starter without monensin and 500 ppm soluble propolis powder in milk; 3. Starter without monensin and 1000 ppm soluble propolis powder in milk; and 4. Monensin in starter and without propolis in milk. Statistical analysis was done with SAS software and PROC MIXED and GLM. There was significant difference between treatments for means body weight during suckling (P<0. 05) and whole period (suckling and after suckling) (P<0. 01). Treatment 3 had the highest and treatment 2 had the lowest body weight. The wither height in treatment 3 had significant difference with other groups (P<0. 01). Both treatment 3 and 2 had the highest wither height in order. There was significant difference between treatments for dry matter intake both in whole period and after suckling (P<0. 05). In whole period treatment 1 had the highest and treatment 4 had the lowest dry matter intake. There was no significant discrepancy in terms of feed efficiency and digestibility of dry matter، organic matter and neutral detergent fiber. According to positive effect of propolis (biological antibiotic) on the performance of calves in compare of monensin (synthetic antibiotic)، it is recommended to use 1000 ppm propolis in per kg milk in suckling calves.