The laying performance of hens fed Uniwhite lupin seed and supplementary DL-methionine

Hens, aged 34 weeks, were fed diets containing 0, 10 or 20 per cent lupin seed (cv. Uniwhite) and sufficient DL-methionine to raise the level to either 1.23 or 2 per cent of the protein. (1.23 per cent was the proportion of methionine in the control diet containing wheat, barley and meat-meal but no lupin seed.) The hens were fed for 24 weeks and each diet had the same metabolizable energy to nutrient ratio for each of the following: crude protein, calcium, phosphorus, sodium, and supplementary vitamins and trace elements. Egg number, egg weight, graded quality of eggs and mortality were recorded daily. Feed consumption was recorded midway and at the end of the experiment. An average peak rate of lay of 76 per cent was reached at 34 weeks and held until hens were 39 weeks of age. At the end of the study (hens aged 58 weeks), the average rate of lay was 57 per cent. Feed consumption increased significantly (P < 0.05) with increased proportions of lupin seed in the diet. There was a significant difference in mean egg weight (58.1 v 58.6 g) between factorial treatments containing methionine at 1.23 and 2 per cent of the protein. There were no significant differences between factorial treatments in any other of the measurements analyzed, namely, hen-day egg production, consumption of metabolizable energy or of protein, or the metabolizable energy or protein required per kg of egg. Uniwhite lupin seed supplemented with methionine was included in a laying diet at 10 and 20 per cent without a subsequent loss of laying performance.