Stinging nettle (Urtica dioica) in broiler nutrition

SUMMARY

Stinging nettle (Urtica dioica) represents a plant with traditional utilisation in medicine in many countries. Despite its potentials stinging nettle is considered by intensive agriculture as a weed, but its biological properties, availability, together with simple processing technology can make it excellent dietary supplement on poultry farms. Nettle supplemented in broiler diets exerts positive effects regarding production performance. Nettle provides nutrients and bioactive components, which stimulate growth and feed utilisation, modulate metabolic processes and support immune system in broilers. This review analyses published literature sources investigating the use of stinging nettle in broiler nutrition, which provided sufficient data to confirm its high potential for dietary application in broiler industry. Future research is needed in regard to clarifying and standardisation of its phytogenic potential and nutritional value, as it depends on numerous factors, such as climate, vegetative stage, soil, harvesting time and processing technology.

KEYWORDS:

• Nettle
• broiler
• nutrition
• performance

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Development of the Republic of Serbia [31001].

Notes on contributors

B. Milosevic

Božidar Milošević, Professor at Animal Breeding Department, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Priština in Kosovska Mitrovica. His research focuses on animal nutrition and breeding.

I. Omerovic

Izeta Omerović, Assistant Professor, Biotechnical Science Department, State University of Novi Pazar. Her research focuses on animal nutrition and breeding technology.

Z. Savic

Željko Savić, Associate Professor at Animal Breeding Department, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Priština in Kosovska Mitrovica. His research focuses on food technology.

L. Andjusic

Ljiljana Anđušić, Assistant Professor at Animal Breeding Department, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Priština in Kosovska Mitrovica. Her research focuses on animal feed technology.

V. Milanovic

Valentina Milanović, Associate Professor at Animal Breeding Department, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Priština in Kosovska Mitrovica. Her research focuses on animal anatomy, reproduction and veterinary preventive.

S. Ciric

Slavica Ćirić, Professor at Natural Science Department, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Priština in Kosovska Mitrovica. Her research focuses on microbiology.