Iraqi Journal of Veterinary Sciences

Abstract

The present study was conducted to evaluate the efficiency of adding Propolis to broiler feeds and the effect on some biochemical and biological parameters represented by its effect on the total bacterial count of intestinal flora as well as the antimicrobial effect on Escherichia coli, staphylococcus aureus and lactobacillus. We used 150 broiler chicks type Ross at the first day of age divided randomly into three groups each of 17 chicks with three replications, the first one is control group and the second and third group fed on feeds containing two levels of propolis 200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg respectively. Results showed that using propolis at 400 mg/kg in the diet lead to a significant decrease in level of triglycerides which was 34.58 mg/ 100 ml accompanied by a mathematical reduction in total cholesterol and LDL levels, while there was an increase in glucose level. The highest propolis levels were effective in significant reduction in total bacterial count of intestinal flora, especially in the seventh week 4.9 log₁₀, represented by a significant reduction in counts of staphylococcus aureus, lactobacillus and Escherichia coli 2.6, 3.6, 3.1 log₁₀ respectively.