The effect of addition of yellow lupin seeds (Lupinus luteus L.) to laying hen diets on performance and egg quality parameters

The aim of the present study was to determine the influence of a new variety of yellow lupin (Lupinus luteus L.) var. Mister seeds in laying hens diet on their performance and egg quality parameters. The experiment was performed on 17-week old 360 Hy-Line Brown hens housed in cages. Hens were randomly assigned to five treatments, each with 24 replications. Starting from 21 week of age birds were fed five different diets: control (without lupin seeds) and with 10, 15, 20 and 25% inclusion of yellow lupin seeds. Dietary inclusion of 25% lupin seeds significantly decreased the mean laying rate and egg weight. Also, the lowest dietary consumption and the worst feed conversion ratio were found in birds fed diet with 25% lupin seeds addition; the best results were found in the control animals. As the yellow lupin seeds content in the diets increased, the pH value of yolk and albumen increased, also Haugh unit scores and yolk pigmentation were significantly higher but shell thickness and strength was decreased. So, the inclusion of up to 20% yellow lupin seeds into diet did not decrease laying rate and egg weight. In line with the increasing lupin content in diets the egg quality was deteriorated (except for yolk pigmentation).