EGG PRODUCTION PERFORMANCE, BLOOD BIOCHEMICAL AND IMMUNOLOGICAL RESPONSE OF LAYING JAPANESE QUAIL FED DIET SUPPLEMENTED WITH PROPOLIS AND BEE POLLEN

Abstract

Increasing productivity, improving product quality and insuring animal welfare are general demands to animal breeders. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of supplementing the diet with propolis and/or bee pollen on egg productivity and immunological responses of laying Japanese quail. A total of 200 female quail, 35 days old, were randomly allocated to four equal groups. The first group served as a control group and was fed a basal diet (C). The second group was fed the basal diet supplemented with propolis at 1g/kg diet (Pro). The third group was fed the basal diet supplemented with bee pollen at 2g/kg diet (Bp). The fourth group was fed the basal diet supplemented with both propolis (1g/kg diet) and bee pollen (2g/kg diet) (Pro+Bp). Feed intake, feed conversion, egg mass, shell thickness and yolk index were significantly improved due to different dietary supplementation. Blood total protein and albumin increased, whereas cholesterol and H/L ratio significantly decreased due to diet supplementation. A synergistic effect of Pro+Bp was noticed in blood albumin, calcium and H/L ratio. In conclusion propolis and bee pollen can be supplemented to the diet of laying quail to increase egg production, improve egg quality and enhance blood protein, lipid and immunological responses.