Effect Of Using Water Extract Of Nettle Leaf (Urtica Dioica) On Some Microbial Characteristics Of Broiler Chickens

Abstract

This study was conducted in the poultry field belonging to the Department of Animal Production at the College of Agriculture at Al-Muthanna University for the period from 10/25/2017 to 12/5/2017 to know the effect of using a82queous extract of nettle leaves on some microbial characteristics of broilers. In this experiment, 240 chicks were used. From broiler strain (Ross308), one day old, with an average weight of (43) gm, it was randomly distributed into four parameters, at 60 chicks per treatment, with three replications for each treatment, 20 chicks/repetition, and was raised in four-story batteries, each floor contains a cage With an area of ​​1.5 * 1 square meter. The experimental treatments included: the first treatment, T1, the control treatment, without any addition. As for the other treatments (T2, T3, and 4 T), the aqueous extract of nettle leaves was added to it in three concentrations (10, 15, 20) ml/liter of drinking water, respectively. The results of the study showed that there was a significant decrease (P≤0.05) in the logarithmic numbers of both total aerobic and coliform bacteria, with a significant increase (P≤0.05) in the logarithmic numbers of lactobacilli in the duodenum, jejunum, and ileum in favor of the aqueous extract of discoid leaves compared to the control treatment.