Effect of Dietary Supplementation with Two Species of Nettle on Apparent Nutrient Digestibility in Broiler Chickens

Phytobiotics are an important source of bioactive components that considerably impact poultry production by enhancing animal performance and health. Nettle is one of the medicinal plants that are reported to be an easily available source of nutrients, minerals, and vitamins. It has been used in folk medicine since antiquity. Nevertheless, its use in agriculture is very limited, especially in poultry feeds. Thus, the present study aimed to assess the chemical composition of dried leaves of Urtica dioïca (UD) and Urtica pilulifera (UP) and to investigate their effects on the apparent total tract nutrient digestibility (ATTDC) of broilers. A total number of 25 Arbor Acres broilers were randomly allotted to five homogeneous groups in individual cages. Each group received one of the experimental diets; control (+ 0% of nettle), D2 (+ 2% of UD), D4 (+ 4% of UD), P2 (+ 2% of UP), and P4 (+ 4% of UP). The digestibility trial was performed for 9 days, according to the method of total collection of excreta. Results of chemical composition of UD and UP leaves revealed significant differences (p < 0.01) in crude protein (CP) (24.30% vs. 21.84%), crude fiber (CF) (5.19% vs. 6.64%) and ether extract (EE) (1.71% vs. 1.29%). Moreover, groups fed with nettle-supplemented diets showed better ATTDC of dry matter (DM), organic matter (OM), and CP compared with the control group. Although no significant difference was observed between nettle species, D2 lot recorded the highest coefficients with 75.37%, 77.87%, and 63.28% of DM, OM, and CP, respectively. It is concluded that nettle could be a suitable ingredient in poultry feed since it improves the nutrient digestibility of broiler feeds.