USING STINGING NETTLE (Urtica dioica) in POULTRY NUTRITION

Stinging nettle (Urtica dioica) which belong to the family Urticaceae in the major group Angiosperms (flowering plants) is a wild, herbaceous, perennial flowering plant. Stinging nettle is considered a weed by intensive agriculture. However, nettle leaves are good sources of protein, fat, carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals and trace elements. Besides, stinging nettle leaves contain a significant number of biologically-active compounds such as terpenoids, carotenoids and fatty acids, as well as various essential amino acids, chlorophyll, vitamins, tannins, sterols, polysaccharides, isolectins and minerals. Stinging nettle has antiproliferative, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, analgesic, anti-infectious, hypotensive and antiulcer properties, as well as the ability to prevent cardiovascular diseases thanks to the biologically-active compounds it contains. Due to its biological properties, availability and simple processing technology, stinging nettle can be thought of as an excellent nutritional supplement for poultry. The aim of this review is to evaluate the potential of stinging nettle utilization in poultry nutrition in light of the studies conducted.