Effect of Aqueous Propolis Supplementation on Performance in Hematological and Serum Biochemical Parameters of Cobb 500 Broiler Chicken

The increased usage of synthetic antibiotics for treatment and growth promotion in livestock has significantly resulted into antimicrobial resistance among livestock and human. To combat this challenge, the current study evaluated the effects of propolis, as a natural growth promoter, compared to a commercial synthetic booster on hematological and serum biochemical parameters of Cobb 500 broiler chickens. A total of 100 day-old chicks were randomly assigned to five treatment groups in a completely randomized design (CRD). The control group (CTR) received plain water, while the positive control group (CBB) received water supplemented with a commercial broiler booster. Three experimental groups (P1, P2, and P3) received propolis extract prepared from 100g, 200g, and 300g of raw propolis per liter of water, respectively. Birds were reared for 42 days, and blood samples were collected at days 3 and 42 for analysis of hematological and biochemical indices. The results showed that white blood cell indices responded variably to the type and dose of growth promoter. At day 42, the P1 group exhibited significantly elevated lymphocyte counts, suggesting enhanced humoral immunity. In contrast, the BST group showed increased neutrophil and monocyte levels, indicating possible innate immune activation or stress. Red blood cell parameters remained largely unchanged at day 3 but showed significant variations at day 42, particularly in MCV, MCHC, and RDW metrics, suggesting dose-related impacts on erythrocyte morphology. No significant differences were observed in total protein and cholesterol levels across all treatments, indicating minimal effects on liver function and lipid metabolism. Overall, the study suggests that moderate doses of propolis can enhance immune responses in broilers without adversely affecting blood biochemistry, supporting its use as a natural alternative to synthetic growth promoters.