ANBAR JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL SCIENCES

Abstract

A study was carried out to determine the influence of supplementation different levels ( Zero , 0.25 , 0.50 , 1.00 , 1.50 and 2.00 % ) of Urtica dioica on body and organs weight of Fawbroo broilers.
Result revealed that body weight was reduced (P<0.05) in birds supplemented with 1.50% of U. dioica (1.45 ±0>05 kg) in comparison with the other levels. Higher and lower (P<0.0002) relative liver weights were demonstrated in birds treated with 0.50 ( 34.68±1.17 gm/kg ) and 2.00% ( 26.90 ± 0.70gm/kg ) of U. dioica respectively. Relative kidney weight was greater (P<0.05) in birds supplemented with 1.00% compared with zero% of U. dioica ( 8.3 ± 0.39 vs 7.16 ± 0.26 gm/kg ).
On the other hand relative spleen weight was increased (P<0.05) while decreased (P<0.05)in birds treated with 0.25 (2.03 ± 0.09 gm/kg) and 2.00 of U. dioica ( 1.46 ± 0.10 gm/kg ) respectively . No significant effect of U. dioica was observed on relative heart and bursa gland weights. Higher relative fat weight ( P<0.05 ) was noticed in birds supplement with 2.00% of U. dioica ( 23.11±1023gm/kg ) in relation with the other levels.
These data supported our previous results that supplementation of broilers with high levels ( 1.50-2.00 % ) of U. dioica had a negative significant effect on body and some organs ( liver and spleen ) weight. However , low levels ( 0.25 – 0.50 % ) of U. dioica had a benefits on some productive traits of broilers.