Influence of feed contaminated with seeds of cleavers (Galium aparine) on the health and production traits in broiler chickens.

Abstract

Clinical observations and gross pathological studies have been performed in field cases in order to determine the effect of cleavers (Galium aparine) seeds upon the productive traits and the health of broiler chickens. A negative impact upon productive traits (feedconversion ratio, growth rates and equalization) has been observed. The results of our studies allowed assuming that the health of broiler chickens was influenced by the mechanical ileus due to deposition and accumulation of weed seeds in the gastrointestinal tract of chickens.