The effect of using Thyme, Garlic and Nettle on performance, carcass quality and blood parameters.

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Annals of Biological Research, 2011, 2 (4) :315-320 (http://scholarsresearchlibrary.com/archive.html)
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The effect of using Thyme, Garlic and Nettle on performance,
carcass quality and blood parameters
1
Navid Hosseini Mansoub
*
and
2
Mohammad Ali Mohammad Nezhady
1
Young Researchers Club, Marageh branch, Islamic Azad University, Marageh, Iran
2
Faculty of Science, Islamic Azad University, Urmia branch, Urmia, Iran.
______________________________________________________________________________
ABSTRACT
In this study we tried to investigate the effect of Garlic, Thyme and Nettle on broilers. A total of
360 chickens were divided into 8 groups and 3 repetitions with 15 chicken each.T1, First group
as control group did not receive any thing but basal diet, T2) 1.5% of Nettle, T3) 1.5% of Thyme,
T4) 1.5% of Garlic T5) 1.5% of Nettle and Thyme, T6) 1.5% of Nettle and Garlic, T7) 1.5% of
Thyme Garlic, T8) 1.5% of Nettle, Thyme and Garlic. The results showed that using these
medicinal plants and had significant effects on performance, carcass traits and blood
biochemical parameters of broilers (p<0.05). The highest amount of daily feed intake was
observed in the group 5 and the lowest group was observed in control group , the lowest percent
of abdominal fat was observed in experimental group 5, the highest percent of breast was in
experimental group 8. All results showed that using Thyme, Garlic, and Nettle have positive
effects on performance, carcass traits and blood biochemical parameters of broilers.
Keywords:
Broilers, Carcass traits, Thyme, Blood Performance.
______________________________________________________________________________
INTRODUCTION
Nowadays, there are a lot of concerns to finding non-synthetic alternatives for antibiotics among
the scientists. The positive effect of herbal plants on broilers have been reported by many
studies. Their anti biotical potential, hypocholestrolemic effects, growth promoting and
availability are the most benificial part of herbs, which have drawn the scientists attention
themselves[1].
Organic poultry is a relatively new expression in western countries which is going to expand in
other countries. In this kind of poultry method, farmers do not use chemical compounds at all or
in a very low level for sake of costumers, instead they use alternatives like organic acids,
probiotics, and medicinal plants, and despite of higher prize of this method, these products have
more fans in the costumers [2]. There are a lot of reports indicating the positive effects of herbs

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like anti-coccidal , anti-oxidant, anti-fungi and etc. Some of medical effects of herbs are related
to their secondary metabolites such as phenols, necessary oils, saponins and etc [2]. Herbs have
been used for some disease since long time ago because of availability, easy usage, non side
effects.
Nettle (Urtica dioica) is widely grown in different parts of the world and has been used to
promote health. Numerous analyses of nettle have revealed the presence of more than fifty
different chemical constituents. It has been extensively studied and found to contain starch, gum,
albumen, sugar, and two resins. Histamine, acetylcholine, choline, and serotonin are also present.
In a study an anti-coagulant was isolated from nettle leaves. Terpene diols, terpene diol
glucosides, and alpha-tocopherol were also detected. Five new monoterpenoid components were
found, as well as 18 phenolic compounds and eight lignans, some of which were previously
unknown. An acetylcholine synthesizing enzyme, choline acetyl-transferase, was found, and it
appears that nettle is the only plant to have this enzyme. The phenolic compounds of nettle like
carvacrol and thymol exhibit considerable antimicrobial and antifungicidal activity [3]. In an
experiment the addition 2% of nettle to broiler diet led to increase their body weight [4]. Recent
studies in broilers showed that using nettle in blend with other medicinal plants had positive
effects on performance, carcass traits, blood biochemical and immunity parameters. Using
1.5%
of different mixtures of nettle
,
menta pulagum and zizaphora medicinal plants
in broiler diets
improved
their performance and carcass quality [5].
Thyme ( Thymus vulgaris ) is a member of Lamiaceae family, with the main components of
Phenols, thymol (40%) and carvacrol (15%) [6]. This herbs, also used traditionaly for several
medicinal purposes: respiratory disease, anti microbal, antinociceptive and etc [6]. Thymol and
carvacrol are the main antibacterial active substances, so this plant can be used instead of
commercial antibiotics. The beneficial value of thyme in poultry industry has been reported [7].
Garlic ( Allium sativum ) is one of the most traditionally used plants as a spice and herb. Garlic
has been using for a variety of reasons which most of them has been aproved scientifically: anti
atherosclerosis, anti microbal, hypolipidemic, anti thrombosis, anti hypertension, anti diabetes
and etc. There are a lot of active components in garlic like: Ajoene, S-allyl cycteine, Di allyl (di/
three) sulfide and the most active one Allicine [8]. Allicine possibly reduces LDL, triglyceride
and cholestrol in serum [9] and it has been used for cardiovascular diseases [10].
According to the aforementioned details, this study was conducted in order to evaluate the effect
of Nettle, Thyme and Garlic on performance, carcass quality, blood biochemical parameters and
blood cells of broilers and to find the most optimum combination of them for those parameters.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
In this study we tried to investgate the effect of Garlic, Thyme and Nettle on broilersand basal
diet was formulated according to table 1. A total of 360 chickens were divided into 8 groups and
3 repetitions with 15 chicken each.T1, First group as control group did not receive any thing but
basal diet, T2) 1.5% of Nettle, T3) 1.5% of Thyme, T4) 1.5% of Garlic T5) 1.5% of Nettle and
Thyme, T6) 1.5% of Nettle and Garlic, T7) 1.5% of Thyme Garlic, T8) 1.5% of Nettle, Thyme
and Garlic.
Performance parameters
During days 0-42, unbound water and dietary was in poultries’ access. Dietary and chick weigh
were going on weekly. Feed consumed was recorded daily, the uneaten discarded, and feed
conversion ratio (FCR) was calculated (total feed : total gain). At the end of experiment, some

Navid Hosseini Mansoub et al Annals of Biological Research, 2011, 2 (4):315-320
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analyses was done via SAS[10] (Statistical Analyses Software) in the statistical level of 5%
according to data gathered from dietary, weight improvement, average of FCR, weight of rearing
period and carcass yield.
Carcass traits
At 42 days of age, four birds per replicate were randomly chosen, slaughtered and carcass
percent to live weight and percent of carcass parts to carcass weight were calculated.
Immunity system:
In the 35
th
day of experiment, three chicks were chosen from each group and inoculated from
brachial vien by 0.1 ml ( 5 % ). Heterophils to Lymphocytes ratio were determined which had
been obtained from barchial vein of three randomly chosen chicks from each group in the 42
th
day of experiment.
Serum parameters:
Blood samples were obtained from barchial vein and centrifuged in order to getting serum, after
12 hours of fasting in the 42
th
day of experiment.
Table 1. Ingredients and chemical analyses composition of the starter and grower diets
1
starter diet fed to birds from 0 to 21 days.
2
Provides per kilogram of diet: vitamin A, 9,000 IU; vitamin D3, 2,000, IU; vitamin
E, 18 IU; vitamin B1, 1.8 mg; vitamin B2, 6.6 mg B2,; vitamin B3, 10 mg; vitamin B5, 30 mg; vitamin B6, 3.0 mg; vitamin B9, 1
mg; vitamin B12, 1.5 mg; vitamin K3, 2 mg; vitamin H2, 0.01 mg; folic acid, 0.21 mg; nicotinic acid, 0.65 mg; biotin, 0.14 mg;
choline chloride, 500 mg; Fe, 50 mg; Mn, 100 mg; Cu, 10 mg; Zn, 85 mg; I, 1 mg; Se, 0.2 mg.
RESULTS
The data which obtained from performance of broiler chickens fed by herbs and their
combination are shown in Table 2. There were a significant effect on food intake of treated
chicks (p<0.05). The highest amount of food intake were in group 5 and the least one were in

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the control group which were not affected by plants. There were significant differences in the
body weight and feed conversion ratio .
Table 3 shows the effect of plants and their different combinations on carcass and it’s
parameters. According to the data, there are significant differences in the carcass characters
(p<0.05). The lowest percentage of abdominal fat (2.99) were in the 5
th
group and the highest
percentage of breast was in the 8
th
group.
The effects of experimental plants on blood biochemical parameters and immuno cells are
presented in Table 4. The effects were significant on biochemical parameters (p<0.05), which the
lowest cholesterol level (100.24 mg/dl) has been observed in the 4
th
group that received 1.5
percent of Garlic, but interestingly the highest level (155.87 mg/dl) were seen in the 5
th
group
which received a combination of Thyme and nettle. The mixture of 3 plants in the 8
th
group
showed the lowest level of triglyceride (37.31 mg/dl), and surprisingly the highest level of
triglyceride was seen in the 5
th
group, again. There was no significant influence on blood
immuno cells because of plants (p>0.05).
DISCUSSION
Using nettle in feeds did not have any significant effects on feed intake, weight gain and feed
conversion of broilers (P>0.05). These results not supported with the work of Kwiecien and
Mieczan [11]. There showed that addition 2% of nettle to broilers diets had positive effects on
their body weight gain. This difference between the results of present experiment and reported
above can be the results of different causes such as the nettle variety or chickens used, farm
management and operations used in the rearing of broiler chickens.
The carvacrol in nettle has stimulatory effects on pancreatic secretions [1] by increasing the
secretions of digestive enzymes more amounts of nutrients like amino acids can be digested and
absorbed from the digestive tract and thereby improve carcass traits. Else increasing the percents
of gizzard and liver by use of nettle can have positive effects via physically grinding and
increasing bile secretion on nutrient digestion. With increased amounts of absorbed amino acids,
organs like breast and thigh drawn more growth. Our findings on carcass traits in this
experiment are in agreement with study results of Modiry et al [5].
Toghyani et al [12] reported that the low dosage (5g/Kg) of Thyme have significant effect on
broiler body weight and their feed conversio ratio, while the high dosage (10g/Kg) in did not
show this effect. Najafi et al.[13] reported that the group which fed by thyme-included diet had
significantly better body weight and feed conversion ratio, . But Tekeli et al [14] and Demir et al
[7] reported opposite results; they found that thyme has no influence on broilers performance.
Our finding are against the results of Fadlalla et al ‘s [15] study in 2010 and Onibi et al. [16],
they found that there is no difference between control group and broilers fed with garlic in both
body weight gain and feed intake, but on the other hand Sibel et al in 1999 [17], Kumar in 2005
[18] and Afsharmanesh et al [19] in 2008 achieved the same results as we did; they reported the
positive effect of Garlic on broiler performance.
The main reason of cholesterol and triglycerids decrease in blood of chicks is substances like
carvacrol and tymol which are present in herbs such as nettle and Thyme. These substances have
effect on cholesterol and triglyceride and decrease these harmful parameters in blood [20].
According to Akiba and Matsumoto high level of fibers can increase the excretion of bile and this

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can decrease the cholesterol level of blood [21]. Since these plants have high level of fibers so
this can be another reason for decline of cholesterol and triglyceride in blood stream.
Our results about cholesterol were against some of studies [22]; some of researchers found no
diminishing effect for Thyme. But, on the other hand, the results of Al-Kassie[23] and agree with
ours. Also Al-Kassie [23] reported a big statistically difference in blood cholestrol level compar
to control group.
The mean values of serum constituents in broiler chicken fed different supplemented diets are
shown in table 4.The serum total cholesterol and Triglycerides concentration were significantly
reduced by dietary with Garlic compared to the control group. (P < 0.05). Ologhobo et al [24]
reported that Garlic has reducing effect on triglyceride level and the best result were obtained in
2 % of garlic in the basal diet. Our results about cholestrol were against some of studies [1];
some of researchers found no diminishing effect for Garlic. But on the other hand, the results of
Al-Kassie[23],
Ologhobo et al [24] and Afsharmanesh et al [19] study agree with ours. Al-Kassie
and
Ologhobo et al reported a big statistically difference in blood cholestrol level compar to
control group respectively for Garlic. Afsharmanesh et al reported that Garlic decreases the
blood cholestrol level.
Table 2: Effect of different combinations of Nettle, Thyme and Garlic on performance of broiler chickens
a-b: in each column the numbers which have different letters have significant differences (p<0.05).
Table3: Effect of different combinations of Treatments on quality of broiler chicken’s carcass.
a-b: in each column the numbers which have different letters have significant differences (p<0.05).
Table 4: Effect of different combinations of Nettle, Thyme and Garlic on blood biochemical and immune
system parameters of broiler chickens
a-c
Means with in columns with different superscript differ significantly
Body weight gain (g)
food Intake (g)
Feed conversion ratio (g:g)
Treatment
b
78/1±38/4
4
b
17/
2
±
0
4/
77
b
03/0±87/1
1
T
1/22
b
±
45/21
b
0
4/2±
21
/
79
b
03/0 ±86/1
2
T
ab
93/1±19/
9
4
b
64/1±82/
0
8
b
05/0 ±
78
/1
3
T
b
84/1±09/42
b
7
5
/1±
5
4
/
1
8
b
04/0±
6
8/1
4
T
ab
2
6
/0±
19
/
49
b
08/2±
2
2/
2
8
ab
15/0±
66
/1
5
T
b
65/0±09/42
ab
13/0±51/81
b
04/0±78/1
6T
ab
54/0±09/48
ab
67/0±54/79
ab
07/0±61/1
7T
ab
01/1±16/94
b
54/1±04/80
b
01/0±46/1
8T
Characters (%) 1T 2T 3T 4T 5T 6T 7T 8T Abdominal Fat
ab
32/0±5/3
abc
15/0±47/3
abc
45/0±48/3
abc
2/0±59/3
c
11/0±2/99
ab
19/0±94/3
bc
23/0±19/3
a
13/0±15/4 Gizzard
a
06/0±37/2
a
17/0±57/2
a
1/0±67/2
a
13/0±59/2
a
07/0±62/2
a
14/0±59/2
a
07/0±58/2
a
15/0±58/2 Breast
ab
63/0±71/32
ab
19/0±62/32
ab
48/0±39/31
ab
73/0±52/32
ab
18/0±78/32
ab
09/0±47/32
a
74/0±34/11
a
42/0±83/43 Lap
a
31/0±11/27
a
54/0±13/27
a
48/0±22/27
a
93/0±49/26
a
15/0±17/27
a
25/0±94/26
a
18/0±75/26
a
22/0±08/27 Liver
a
43/0±07/3
a
19/0±24/3
a
13/0±3
a
07/0±05/3
a
07/0±9/2
a
17/0±09/3
a
19/0±98/2
a
22/0±2/3
Blood
parameters
1T 2T 3T 4T 5T 6T 7T 8T
Glucose
*
a
36/27±33/189
15±192
a
93/6±182
a
25/6±150
a
34/11±33/185
a
74/18±187
a
68/17±33/158
a
51/30±67/156
Cholesterol
ab
2/11±53/123
ab
1/10±13/126
b
53/2±97/100
b
26/5±24/100
a
96/25±87/155
ab
82/9±8/122
ab
44/14±93/108
ab
1/26±
97/111
Triglyceride
a
95/13±39/71
ab
1/6±72/60
ab
67/6±82/48
ab
92/0±95/48
a
69/6±42/74
ab
13/9±75/63
b
95/10±53/42
b
89/4±37/31 Heterophile
/Lymphocyte
a
02/0±412/0
a
02/0±127/0
a
04/0±126
a
01/0±177/0
a
02/0±134/0
a
01/0±174/0
a
04/0±154/0
a
04/0±
a
237/0

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