The effect of propolis extract in the diet of chickens Ross 308 on their performance

Abstract

The focus of the study was the performance of Ross 308 chickens after the application of propolis extract in their diet. The nutritional value of feed mixtures for chickens was equal, but the experimental groups were also added propolis extract in the dose of 200 mg.kg-1 (E1), 300 mg.kg-1 (E2) and 400 mg.kg-1 (E3), respectively. The results of the experiments showed that the propolis extract in the examined concentrations can be applied to the diet of chickens, since it managed to raise (P ≥ 0.05) the body weight positively (E1-2354.60 g; E2-2371.40 g; E3-2382.90 g), compared to control group (2272.89 g). Total increase of body weights indicates positive tendency of propolis extract in the diet of chickens Ross 308, because higher values (P ≥ 0.05) were reached in the experimental groups (2311.60 g-E1 to 2339.60 g-E3) compared to control (2230.80 g). Total feed consumption was higher in the experimental groups, on the contrary, FCR was lower (P ≥ 0.05) in the experimental groups (1.64 to 1.67) compared to control (1.69). The best performance results were reached in the group with the greatest addition of propolis extract, i.e. in the dose 400 mg.kg-1 of feed mixtures (E3).