Growth Performance and Biochemical Parameters of Broiler Chickens on Diets Consist of Chicory (Cichorium intybus) and Nettle (Urtica dioica) with or without Multi-Enzyme

A total of 288 broiler chickens (1 d old) were used in a 42-d growth trial to study the effects of chicory (cichorium intybus) and nettle (urtica dioica) with or without multi-enzyme on growth performance, car-cass traits, and biochemical parameters. the corn-soybean based control diet and 8 experimental diets were fed to each of 3 pens of chickens (12 chickens/pen). treatments were as follows: 1. basal diet (b), no addi-tives, 2. b + 0.05% enzyme (e), 3. b + 1% chicory (c), 4. b + 1% nettle (n); 5. b + 1% n + e (ne), 6. b + 1% c + e (ce), 7. b + 0.5% n + 0.5% c (nc), 8. b + 0.5% n + 0.5% c + e (nce). a higher body weight gain were found at 42 d of age in chickens fed the e, ce, ne, and nce in diet (p < 0.05), whereas bw did not differ between the control and c, n, and nc diets. a lower food conversion ratio was observed at 42 d of age in birds receiving the ne, and ce. no diet effects on carcass yield, and relative weights of gizzard, and ceca were detected. in contrast, a higher breast yield was found for all treatments except to n group (p < 0.05). the intestinal weight decreased with e, ne, ce, nc, and nce (p < 0.05). serum cholesterol de-creased in birds fed c, and nc (p < 0.05) as compared to n. serum total protein and triglyceride content were similar among all treatments. serum cholesterol concentration indicated the c and nc treatment had a lower concentration than n (p < 0.05). broiler performance and carcass traits for birds given dietary ne and ce supplement were similar to other treatment containing herb or enzyme or blend of them, and these sup-plements appear suitable for dietary inclusion. careful choices are necessary when selecting dietary herb supplements for broilers, but beneficial effects can be observed.