Stinging nettle (Urtica dioica) in broiler nutrition

Abstract

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.