Effects of yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) and nettle flour (Urtica dioica) supplementation on broiler chickens

Abstract

This study investigated the effects of dietary supplementation with yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) and nettle flour (Urtica dioica) on growth performance, carcass traits, feed efficiency, organ development in broiler chickens. A total of 90 broiler chicks were assigned to three groups: control, yeast-supplemented, and nettle-supplemented. Body weights were recorded at 3, 7, 14, 21, 28, and 35 days. At slaughter, carcass and organ weights were determined, feed intake and feed conversion ratio (FCR) were calculated. Results showed that both yeast and nettle supplementation improved body weight gain, carcass yield, and feed efficiency compared with the control. At 35 days, yeast-fed broilers reached the highest final weight (2402.67 ± 266.85 g), followed by nettles (2355.23 ± 212.92 g), versus 2019.2 ± 226.48 g in controls. FCR was superior in the yeast (1.59) and nettle (1.66) groups compared with control (2.14). Carcass evaluation indicated improved breast and thigh development in yeast-fed birds, while nettles additionally increased wing mass. Organ analysis revealed greater liver and bursa of Fabricius weights in the nettle group, suggesting immunostimulatory effects. These results demonstrate that yeast supplementation is most effective for optimizing growth performance and feed efficiency, while nettle flour provides additional benefits in immune and metabolic functions. Both additives represent promising, natural alternatives to antibiotic growth promoters in broiler production.