Effect of nettle (Urtica dioica ) medicinal plant on growth performance, immune responses, and serum biochemical parameters of broiler chickens

chicks per pen. Body weight and feed consumption of broilers were measured weekly until 42 d of age, and feed conversion was calculated, accordingly. At day 42, two birds per replicate were slaughtered for determination of carcass and organ weights and blood samples were collected for biochemical and immune evaluation. The dietary supplementation of the nettle did not influence (P>0.05) feed intake. Supplementing 1% nettle increased body weight of broilers at 42 days of age (P 0.05). None of the immune related parameters was statistically different among the treatments. These findings indicate that nettle supplementation at 1-2% can be used as growth promoters in broiler diets, and research to elucidate the mechanism for potentially enhanced growth in broilers is required.