Effect of Propolis as Additive on Some Behavioural Patterns, Performance and Blood Parameters in Muscovy Broiler Ducks

Abstract

Forty Muscovy ducklings of one day old were used in this study. They were brooded together for 3 weeks and then were randomly divided into two groups, 20 ducklings per each. Each group was housed in a well ventilated, previously cleaned, disinfected and well bedded with saw dust 3 x 3 m pen. Birds were maintained at 33 °C using gas heater and the temperature was gradually reduced by 3 °C / week until 21 °C was reached and then continued to the end of the experiment. Continuous lighting program with 23 hours light to one hour dark was maintained by the natural day light and a 60 watt bulb that placed centrally in each pen at 2 meters height above the heads of birds. Birds were daily fed ad-libitum on a commercial duck broiler starter ration up to 3 weeks of age and on a duck broiler grower finisher ration till 12 weeks old. The first group was fed on these diets without any supplements and used as a control group, however, the second one was fed the finisher rations provided and thoroughly mixed with ethanol extracted propolis at a rate of 2 gm / Kg of diet. Water was freely available allover the experiment. Behaviour, performance and blood parameters of the experimented birds were carried out. Obtained results indicated that use of propolis as a natural feed additive reflected on ducks with a reduction in stress behaviour, increased growth performance, increased immune response and resistance and improved welfare through improving the physical health state.