Natural Bee Products for Calf Feeding

Abstract

The use of antibiotics leaving residues in animal products and its indiscriminate use has led to the ban on their use in animals. Therefore, natural feed additives that are alternatives to antibiotics have gained importance. Nowadays, the search for natural, growth-promoting, and digestion-improving feed additives continues. One of these feed additives, bee products (propolis, pollen, royal jelly, and bee venom), can have a positive effect on performance by increasing animal feed intake, body weight gain, and feed conversion efficiency. Propolis, one of the bee products, can be used in ruminant animal feeding due to its antioxidant, antibacterial, antiviral, and antifungal properties.

The aim of this review is to compile studies on the use of natural bee products, such as propolis, pollen, royal jelly, and bee venom, in calf feeding, their effects on animals, recommended dosages, and the impacts observed in animals.