Annual Research & Review in Biology

Gastrointestinal parasitism remains one of the major limiting factors in poultry development. Propolis has been suggested as a natural substitute for antibiotic growth promoters due to its antimicrobial and antiparasitic effects. This study evaluated the effects of propolis supplementation in drinking water on the control of gastrointestinal parasites in broiler chickens. The experiment was conducted at the National University of Lesotho farm, Roma, Maseru, Lesotho, for a period of six weeks using a completely randomized design. A total of 480-day-old Ross 308 broiler chicks were randomly allocated to four treatments with three replicates per treatment and 30 birds per replicate. Propolis was administered in drinking water at concentrations of 0 ml/L (control), 1 ml/L, 2 ml/L and 3 ml/L. Faecal samples were collected at the beginning of the experiment and every two weeks thereafter. Samples were analysed using the McMaster technique to determine parasite prevalence and faecal egg count. Data were analysed using generalised estimating equations with significance declared at p ≤ 0.05. Propolis supplementation significantly reduced nematode prevalence (p<0.05), with percentage reductions of 50.79%, 67.02%, 67.02% and 3.08% for control, 1 ml/L, 2 ml/L and 3 ml/L treatments, respectively. Coccidia prevalence decreased by 49.60%, 67.02%, 65.93% and 50.82% for control, 1 ml/L, 2 ml/L and 3 ml/L treatments. Nematode faecal egg count decreased by 18.01%, 18.14%, 19.21% and 24.37% for control, 1 ml/L, 2 ml/L and 3 ml/L treatments, respectively. Coccidia faecal egg count reduction was highest in the 3 ml/L treatment (38.38%) compared with 5.49%, 12.24% and 10.88% for control, 1 ml/L and 2 ml/L treatments. Overall gastrointestinal parasite reduction reached 84.95% and 80.27% during the first and second treatment periods, respectively. Propolis supplementation reduced gastrointestinal parasite prevalence and faecal egg counts in broiler chickens. Moderate concentrations were more effective in reducing prevalence, while higher concentrations improved faecal egg count reduction. Propolis may serve as a natural alternative for controlling gastrointestinal parasites in broiler production.