Bee Products for Poultry and Rabbits: Current Challenges and Perspectives

Area of Science:

• Agricultural Science
• Animal Science
• Veterinary Medicine

Background:

• Poultry and rabbit production are vital agricultural subsectors, facing challenges like climate change and antibiotic misuse.
• Sustainable farming practices and improved animal welfare, health, and production are critical for livestock.
• Apitherapy, using bee products, offers potential for disease prevention and treatment in animals.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review and investigate the use of bee products as feed additives, water supplements, or injections for poultry and rabbits.
• To explore how bee products can enhance animal health and production in livestock farming.
• To identify bee products as potential natural alternatives to synthetic growth promoters and immunological enhancers.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of recent scientific publications.
• Analysis of studies on bee product administration (feed, water, injection) in poultry and rabbits.
• Evaluation of reported effects on animal growth, immunity, and overall health.

Main Results:

• Bee products demonstrated positive impacts on the growth and immunological performance of poultry and rabbits.
• Mechanisms include activation of digestive enzymes, microbial balance, and vitamin synthesis.
• Bee products show potential in improving animal welfare and product safety.

Conclusions:

• Bee products represent a promising natural alternative for improving poultry and rabbit health and production.
• Their use can support sustainable farming by reducing reliance on antibiotics and synthetic additives.
• Further research into bee product benefits can lead to safer, healthier animal products for consumers.