The objective of this work was to evaluate the effects of coconut meal (CM) inclusion in commercial layer diets and feeding time, on egg components and yolk fatty acid composition. The experiment followed a factorial design 5x2, with five levels of CM inclusion (0, 5, 10, 15 and 20%) and two feeding time (14 and 28 days). Parameters evaluated included: egg weight, and albumen, yolk and shell percentages, as well as solids, lipids and fatty acid profile of the yolk. The inclusion of CM and feeding time affected the yolk content of myristic acid which increased with CM level and with feeding time. The levels of stearic and oleic acids in the yolk varied with feeding time and were higher in the eggs after 28 days. Polyunsaturated to saturated fatty acid ratio in yolk decreased, when dietary CM levels were higher than 10%, and increased with longer feeding time. The use of CM in laying hen diets does not influence egg composition but increases myristic acid content of the yolk.
egg yolk; total solids; fatty acid profile; laying hens
