Effect of bee glue on growth performance and immune response of broiler chickens

Abstract

ABSTRACTThe objective of this experiment was to evaluate the effect of bee glue (BG) on the performance, relative visceral weights, some blood parameters, and immune status of broilers. A total of 200 male Ross 308 broiler chicks were randomly assigned to 5 dietary treatments: basal diet (BD), and basal diet supplemented with 600, 700, 800, and 900 mg kg−1 of BG. Each of the 5 diets was fed to 4 replicates of 10 chicks each from 0 to 42 days of age. The results indicated that the highest body weight, average daily gain, average daily feed intake, carcass weight, and carcass yield were observed in broilers offered 800 mg kg−1 of BG (P < .05). Inclusion of BG improved the feed conversion ratio compared with the control group (P < .01). The calculated European broiler index and crop percentage were greater for the birds received 800 and 900 mg kg−1 of BG compared with that of the control birds (P < .05). Inclusion of 900 mg kg−1 of BG significantly increased the relative weight of spleen and bursa, but reduced total triglycerides, cholesterol, LDL, and LDL: HDL ratio than the control group (P < .05). The serum IgG and IgM levels were increased for the birds received 700 to 900 mg kg−1 BG (P < .01), and addition of BG to the basal diet significantly increased antibody response against sheep red blood cell at 35 days of age (P < .05). It was concluded that an addition of 800 mg kg−1 BG to diet improves economic efficiency possibly by creating miniscule improvement in FCR and promoting immune response of broilers.