Authors : Duran Ozkok, Kaan M. Iscan and Sibel Silici
Abstract: This experiment was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of supplemental propolis on the performance and egg quality of laying hens. Two hundred and forty, 18 weeks old Bovans White strain laying hens were divided into four groups of 60 each. They were fed 0 (P-0), 100 (P-1), 200 (P-2) and 400 (P-4) mg kg-1 of supplemental propolis for 32 weeks. Feed and water were supplied ad libitum. The live weight of the animals was weighed before and at the end of the experiment whilst feed consumption, feed conversation ratio, egg production, egg weight, mortality, Haugh unit and shell thickness were determined at 28 days intervals throughout the experiment. At the end of the study, it was determined that the live weight of laying hens fed on a diet supplemented with 400 mg kg-1 propolis had increased (p<0.05). However, propolis doses used in this study did not have significant dietary effects on either performance criteria including feed consumption, feed conversation ratio, egg production, egg weight, mortality or egg quality criteria including Haugh unit and shell thickness (p>0.05). In conclusion, as the results of the present study demonstrated that in laying hens, supplementation of the ration with propolis did not induce any adverse effect on performance, egg quality or survival rate, it is suggested that various doses of propolis could be used in egg production.
Duran Ozkok, Kaan M. Iscan and Sibel Silici, 2013. Effects of Dietary Propolis Supplementation on Performance and Egg Quality in Laying Hens. Journal of Animal and Veterinary Advances, 12: 269-275.