Effects of Urtica urens in the Feed of Broilers on Performances, Digestibility, Carcass Characteristics and Blood Parameters

Simple Summary Urtica urens used as an additive in animal feed may have antibacterial, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties. Some studies suggest a positive effect of Urtica urens on the immune system, digestive tract development, regulation of appetite and voluntary feed intake, stimulation of basal metabolic rate and enhancement of meat quality. In a broiler trial, an increase in growth performance and a decrease in HDL (high-density lipoprotein) cholesterol were observed. The results suggest that the use of Urtica urens can improve broiler health and performance. Abstract With the aim of improving animal health and productivity, plants or plant extracts that have antimicrobial, antifungal and antioxidant properties are often used in studies with broilers. The aim of this work was to investigate the effect of Urtica urens in broilers. Ninety male Ross chicks were used, randomly placed in 30 pens (three broilers per pen). The broilers were assigned to three treatment groups: group CT (control) received a basal diet; group UU1 received a basal diet with 1% dried Urtica urens; and group UU2 received a basal diet with 2% dried Urtica urens. Each treatment consisted of two feeds, distributed from day 1 to 15 (starter) and from day 15 to 36 (grower). As a result of this study, broilers in the UU1 treatment group had higher weight on day 15 (p = 0.029) and day 36 (p = 0.014) than those in treatments CT and UU2 and a higher daily weight gain between days 1 and 15 (p = 0.028) and days 1 and 36 (p = 0.014). Broilers in the UU1 and UU2 groups had lower serum HDL cholesterol (88.8 and 88.9 mg/dL, respectively) than the CT (96.1 mg/dL). In conclusion, the use of dried Urtica urens at 1% as an additive in broiler diets may affect growth performance and blood HDL cholesterol.

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