Six groups of organically fed hens were
studied for egg production, feed parameters, and egg
quality from 20 to 31 wk of age. Treatments were 3 diets
(0, 15, and 25% blue lupin) with or without supplements
of foraging material (whole carrots and corn silage). Increased
lupin content increased nonstarch polysaccharides
content and reduced methionine content below the
hens’ requirement. Egg production at 31 wk was lower
with the 25% lupin diet without (69%) and with foraging
material (76%) compared with the other diets (∼90%). Egg
weight was highest with the 0% lupin diet (64 g), and
15% lupin diet (60 g), whereas the 25% lupin diet without
and with foraging material resulted in egg weights of 58
and 56 g, respectively. Feed intakes were ∼113 g of diet/
hen per d and 113 g of supplement/hen per d in 0 and 15% lupin treatments, respectively. Feeding the 25% lupin
diet significantly reduced diet intake to ∼91 g, and increased
supplement intake to 118 g for the treatment with
foraging material. Eggs from treatments with foraging
material had significantly higher sulfur-like aftertaste in
sensory evaluation. Yolk color became significantly
lighter and more yellow with lupin content, but darker
and less greenish with foraging material. Increased lupin
levels decreased albumen DM, whereas foraging material
had no effect. Inclusion of 25% lupin in layer diets is only
recommended when supplying some methionine source,
as egg production and quality parameters are dramatically
impaired. However, supplement of foraging material
significantly improves egg production