Influence of rearing system and nettle supplementation (Urtica dioica) on the carcass traits and fatty acid composition of redbro broilers

Abstract

© Verlag Eugen Ulmer, Stuttgart. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of two alternative housing systems and dietary supplementation of fresh nettle in broiler diets on the carcass traits and fatty acid profile of Redbro chickens. A total of 400 chickens were reared in a poultry house. When chickens were 4 weeks old they were divided into 4 groups with 4 subgroups (25 chickens) each. Two groups of chickens were reared in free range system with (group A) or without (group B) added fresh cut nettle. The other two groups were reared extensively in a poultry house with (group C) or without (group D) added fresh cut nettle. At the end of the experiment, 48 birds (6 males and 6 females from each group) were slaughtered for determination of carcass traits and fatty acid composition of breasts with skin. The dietary supplementation of fresh nettle and poultry system had no effects on carcass weight, dressing percentage, abdominal fat and percent of parts of broiler chicken carcass. Nettle and pasture intake had significant effect on percent of liver (P≤0.01) and gizzard (P≤0.05). In the group A reared outdoor with added fresh nettle the proportion of MUFA (P≤0.01) was significantly lower compared to other groups and the proportion of PUFA (P≤0.001) was significantly higher in groups A and C. Moreover, supplementation of fresh nettle increased linoleic (C18:2 n-6, P≤0.01) and linolenic acid (C18:3n-3, P≤0.001) and reduced the ratio n-6/n-3 (P≤0.05) in breast muscle. It can be concluded that dietary supplementation of fresh nettle can improve the quality of chicken breast meat better than pasture intake.