THE PHYSIOLOGICAL RESPONSE TO BEE HONEY APPLICATION IN BROILER CHICKEN DIETS

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of Bee Honey (BH) on broiler chicken carcass characteristics, digestive tract length, immune organs weight, villi development and blood plasma parameters. A total number of 120 one-day old Cobb broiler chicks were randomly assigned to four dietary treatments, three replicates of 10 chicks each. A basal diet (control group) was supplemented with 3 levels of (BH, T1-3) 0.10, 0.15 and 0.20% respectively.
The carcass characteristics were measured, and blood plasma samples were collected for analyses of total protein, albumin, cholesterol, triglyceride, AST, ALT, calcium and phosphorus. The length measurements were performed for total digestive tract and small intestine. The weights of bursa, spleen and ileal morphology were also measured.
The results showed that there were no significant differences within treatments for carcass %, total edible parts %, total digestive track and small intestine length (cm/ 100 g body weight) and bursa mass %. However, BH affected spleen %, increased villi height, muscle thickness and goblet cell numbers and decreased villi width. Analysis of the blood plasma indicated no influence of BH addition on albumin, cholesterol, calcium and phosphorus concentrations. However, decreased A/G ratio, triglyceride, AST and ALT and increased total protein and globulin levels, were observed in BH-treated groups. In conclusion, BH supplementation to broiler diets had a significantly positive effects on villi development with no negative influence on chicken metabolism and immune response.