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Simple Summary: The nettle Urticacannabina (U. cannabina) belongs to the Urticaceae (nettle) family in the major group Angiosperms (flowering plants); it is distributed worldwide in temperate regions. While it was previously considered to be a weed, increasing evidence suggests that it is a valuable nutrient resource and has multiple biological functions when included in both human and animal diets. U. cannabina was given to laying hens in this experiment to study its effect on the hens' performance, egg quality, yolk fatty acids composition, and serum biochemical parameters. The results revealed that dietary supplementation with U. cannabina has the potential to produce high-quality eggs. The data collected in this experiment can be used to inform further use of this plant to improve the lipid profile and fatty acid composition of eggs produced by hens fed on U. cannabina. The nettle Urticacannabina (U.cannabina) is not only a functional edible food for humans but also a potential alternative feed resource for poultry, providing protein, fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals. The present study was conducted to evaluate the effects of dietary U.cannabina on the production of high-quality eggs with enriched n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) and lower cholesterol contents. One hundred and twenty laying hens were assigned to three groups [control, 15% alfalfa meal supplementation (TRTA), and 15% U.cannabina supplementation (TRTU)]. The results showed that the feed intake, yolk color, and shell thickness were increased (p < 0.05) in the U.cannabina group. Moreover, cholesterol contents of the yolk and serum were lower in the U.cannabina group (p < 0.05). The total n-3 PUFA concentration in the yolk was increased while the ratio of n-6/n-3 was reduced in the U.cannabina group (p < 0.01). In conclusion, the dietary inclusion of U.cannabina increased shell thickness, yolk n-3 PUFA levels, and yolk color, and reduced cholesterol contents of the yolk and serum without any negative impacts on health or laying performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Urtica cannabina is an unconventional forage crop that has a wide distribution in northern parts of China and is rich in nutritional values. It has a considerable practical significance in cases of shortage of quality forage, such as Leymus chinensis, which is used for the growth and production of ruminants. Our study found that proper addition ratios of U. cannabina and L. chinensis can increase the fiber digestibility by modulating the rumen microbial community in vitro. We also suggest that proper addition of U. cannabina and L. chinensis ratios may be one of the nutritional strategies that can improve the digestion and absorption performance of fiber feedstuff and potentially alleviate the shortage of quality forage for ruminants. The study was conducted in vitro to investigate the effects of different ratios of Urtica cannabina and Leymus chinensis on fiber microstructure and digestibility in ruminal fluid. The experiment was divided into five groups based on the U. cannabina/L. chinensis ratios: A (0:100), B (30:70), C (50:50), D (70:30), and E (100:0). The culture medium was collected at 0, 1, 3, 6, 12, and 24 h. The results showed that: (1) in vitro crude protein degradability (IVCPD) was higher in group A, whereas in vitro neutral detergent fiber degradability (IVNDFD) was higher in group C (p < 0.05); (2) protozoa count was increased from 1 h to 3 h and decreased afterwards, with significant differences observed in several genera (p < 0.05); (3) microbial crude protein (MCP) contents at 1, 3, 6, and 24 h were higher in groups A and C (p < 0.05); (4) the basic tissue of U. cannabina was gradually degraded. At 24h, the secondary xylem vessel structure was observed in groups B and C, but not in groups D and E. In summary, there was higher neutral detergent fiber (NDF) digestibility, higher rumen MCP contents, and lower protozoa count, showing the significance of the 50:50 ratio for microbial growth and fiber digestibility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]