Abstract :
[en] The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of incorporating nettles (Urtica dioica L.) on the
zootechnical performance, biochemical and physicochemical parameters of the meat and the
oxidative status of the turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) reared under intensive conditions. The evaluation
of the potential of this ingredient was carried out by comparing two rates of dietary incorporations,
3 and 6%, of nettles powder in three commercial feeds corresponding to three growth phases, during
12 weeks of rearing. The feed was distributed ad-libitum during the whole rearing phase. A total of
72 one-day-old turkeys were assigned to 3 dietary treatments, consisting of three replicates of eight
birds each. Results showed that nettle leaves significantly improved the growth performance, with
live weight at 12 weeks of age (P<0.05), which is higher in the group fed with 3% nettle powder
(NP3%) than in the groups fed with 0% (NP0%) and 6% (NP6%) nettle powder (NP3%: 10534g;
NP0%: 9829g; NP6%:9233g; P<0.05). Over the rearing period, the NP0% group recorded a better
feed conversion ratio (NP0%: 2.86; NP3%: 3.03; NP6%: 3.06; P=0.03). Mortality was similar
between the three groups (8% average). Oxidative status was significantly affected by
supplementation among the three groups (P<0.001). The antioxidant capacity, measured by the way
of Total Antioxidant Capacity, Glutathione Peroxidase, Superoxide dismutase, Catalase and
Malondialdehyde, was linearly improved with the level of incorporation of nettle powder (P<0.001).
No significant differences were recorded between the 3 groups for the chemical composition (water,
protein, Fat and ash) and physicochemical parameters (pH24, WHC, Cooking loss, Redness,
yellowness and brightness) of the meat.
