Bee Propolis: From Honeybee Hive Defense to Natural Feed Additive for Livestock and Poultry

Bee propolis is a resinous natural product prepared by honeybees from plant exudates, wax, pollen and bee enzymes. Owing to its phenolics, flavonoids, terpenoids, vitamins and minerals, it has gained interest as a phytogenic feed additive in livestock and poultry nutrition. Its antioxidant, antimicrobial and immunomodulatory properties may support gut health, immune function and productive performance. In ruminants, propolis may influence rumen fermentation, nutrient utilization, calf health, milk quality and methane-related fermentation pathways. In poultry, it may improve immunity, growth, laying performance and egg quality. Nano-propolis is also emerging as a promising form because of its improved solubility and biological activity. However, propolis composition varies with botanical origin, geography, season, extraction method and dose. Therefore, it should be viewed not as a miracle additive or direct antibiotic replacement, but as a promising natural feed additive requiring standardization, quality control and further animal trials before wider field use.