THE POTENTIAL OF WHITE LUPIN SEEDS (LUPINUS ALBUS L) FROM LOW-ALKALOID VARIETIES, AS A PROTEIN ALTERNATIVE SOURCE, IN THE DIETS OF LAYING HENS

F.L. Criste, D. Mierliţă, I.M. Pop, A. Teuşdea

Abstract
   This study assesses the effects of using lupine seeds from low-alkaloid varieties, as alternative protein source for laying hens feeding related the bioproduction performances and egg quality. A total number of 160 Tetra-SL LL commercial layers of 30 weeks of age were distributed in a randomized complete block design, of 4 treatments and 5 replicates of 8 layers per replica (n = 40 layers/treatment). Treatments consisted of 4 input levels (0, 15, 20 and 25% -% of the combined fodder composition) of white lupine seeds (cv. Amiga) for laying hens feeding. The results achieved suggest that white lupine modern varieties seeds can be included into laying hens’ diet in a ratio up to 20% of the combined fodder composition, as an efficient substitute for soybean meal proteins, without affecting the egg intensity and the quality of the eggs, the feed intake, feeding efficiency, it can decrease feed costs related to egg yield up to 4.2%. The input of lupine in laying hens feeding in a ratio up to 25% significantly reduces laying intensity, egg weight, egg shell mineral thickness and weight, and increases feed conversion ratio.

Key words: laying hen, lupine seed, performance, egg quality, yolk cholesterol