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The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of supplementing diet with propolis on Bandarah laying hens' performance. A total of 120 laying hens and 32 cocks at 30 weeks of age were randomly distributed among four treatments groups with 3 replicates each (10 females and 1 male/replicate) were housed in floor pens (2.5x1.5x2.5m).Birds in group 1 were fed a basal diet and considered as control group, while those in groups 2, 3 and 4 were fed on the same basal diet supplemented with 150,300 and 450 mg propolis/kg diet during experimental period (30-42 weeks of age). Results indicated that egg weight, egg production % and egg mass for propolis treatments were significantly (p<0.01) increased than those fed control diet. Feed consumption was not affected by supplemental propolis, while feed conversion ratio was significantly improved compared with control group. Shell thickness, Haugh unit score and egg yolk % significantly improved for hens fed diet supplemented with propolis compared with control group. However, egg shell %, shape index, yolk index, albumen % and yolk color score were not affected by propolis supplementation. In accordance with hematological parameters, addition of propolis at different levels significantly (p<0.01) increased Hb, PCV, RBC, WBC, lymphocytes count while heterophils count significantly (p<0.01) decreased. There was significant increase in plasma total protein, globulin, IgG and IgM with increasing propolis level. Lipid profile, Liver and kidney function significantly (p<0.01) improved for propolis treatments. Significant decrease was observed in plasma lipid peroxidation based on MDA levels in treated groups compared with control group also, results showed significant increase in antioxidants enzymes (TAC and SOD) for the groups supplied with propolis. Moreover, supplementation diets with propolis at different levels significantly improved semen quality, fertility and hatchability percentages compared with control. In conclusion, the results indicated that supplementation of propolis to Bandarah chickens diets significantly improved productive, reproductive, physiological, immunological and anti-oxidative status.

The present study was aimed to determine the effects of different levels of Ashwagandha root powder (Withania somnifera) on growth performance, immunity status and serum biochemical parameters in cockerels of Inshas chicks. A total number of 225 cockerels of Inshas local strain aged 28-day were randomly divided into five treatment groups. Each treatment group was represented by three replicates, of 15 cockerels each and housed in 15 rearing cages until the end of the experiment (16 weeks of age). The treatments consisted of five groups of Ashwagandha (0, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5 and 2.0 %). Body weight and body weight gain increased in Ashwagandha treated groups. Feed consumption was significantly decreased and feed conversion was significantly improved by adding Ashwagandha to the diet. The highest carcass, gizzard, liver, heart and spleen percentages were achieved by supplementation of 0.5% Ashwagandha in feed of cockerels. On the other hand, a significant reduction in the relative weight of abdominal fat was observed in Ashwagandha treated groups as compared to untreated group. Supplementation of Ashwagandha root powder significantly (P<0.05) increased blood RBCs, WBCs, Hb, PCV, IBV titer, total protein, globulin, T 3 , TAC and HDL, while, blood cholesterol was significantly (P<0.05) decreased as compared to control group. A non-significant difference was noted in albumin, the liver function enzymes and LDL in all treatment groups as compared to control. It may be concluded that the inclusion of 0.5 % of Ashwagandha root powder in cockerels ration as a herbal feed additive was beneficial in improving the growth performance, blood hematological and biochemical profile.