Effects of white lupine in diets of growing turkeys.

In Experiment 1, dehulling white lupine (WL) improved growth and feed efficiency of male Large White turkey poults fed 40% WL during 4 to 21 days of age. In Experiment 2, WL was included proportionally with soybean meal in corn-soy diets of female turkeys from 0 to 17 wk of age. Soybean meal: WL ratios (S:WL) were 1:0 (control), 2:1, 1:1, and 6:1. At 17 wk of age hens on S:WL diets of 2:1 had body weights that were similar to those of birds fed the corn-soy control diets. Growth of hens fed S:WL diets of 6:1 was depressed (P less than .05). Growth depressions were greatest earlier in the study; older birds made compensatory gains. Feed efficiency of hens fed S:WL diets of 1:1 was poorer than that of controls during 0 to 11 wk but better than that of controls after 11 wk of age. Feed efficiency values were similar during 0 to 17 wk for hens fed control and S:WL diets of 2:1 and 1:1. Sensory evaluation of roasted light and dark meat of market birds revealed no taste differences in relation to WL level in the diet.