The effect of Propolis powder on growth performance, carcass characteristics and blood parameters of broiler chickens in response to heat stress

This study was conducted to determine the effects of Propolis on growth performance, carcass characteristics and some blood parameters in broilerchickens in response to heat stress condition. A total of 160 one day-old male broiler chicks (Ross 308) were randomly divided into four treatmentgroups in a completely randomized design with four replicates of 10 birds each. The experimental treatments including: 1) control (basal diet), 2) thebasal diet with Neomycin (200 g/ton), 3) 150 mg/kg Propolis, 4) 200 mg/kg Propolis in diet. Birds submitted to heat stress (32±2ºC from 10.00 AMto 6.00 PM) from 15 to 42 d of age. The results showed that, average mortality was lower in Propolis groups than in the control group (P < 0.05).None of the feed intake data was influenced by treatments during different periods. Birds receiving diet supplemented with 200 mg/kg Propolis had asignificantly (P < 0.05) higher body weight compared to the control group at the finisher feeding phase and whole period. In the finisher phase andwhole period, the lowest (P < 0.05) fed conversion ratio (FCR) was observed in chickens fed 200 mg/kg Propolis. Cholesterol and LDL level werelower in chickens fed diet with Propolis compared to control (p < 0.05). In conclusion, the addition of Propolis at a rate of 200 mg/kg to the diet couldreduce the negative effects of heat stress in broiler chickens.