This experiment was conducted to evaluate the oxidative stability of coconut meal treated with or without butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) at different storage times and the effect of diets containing this ingredient on laying hens' performance and egg quality. A 200-kg batch of freshly produced coconut meal was divided into five equal portions. One portion was stored without BHT and the others were treated with BHT at zero, 7, 14 and 21 days. The oxidative stability of coconut meal was measured by the acidity index and peroxide index determined weekly. At the end of the 35-day storage time, this ingredient was used in the formulation of diets for laying hen. One hundred and eighty Hisex White laying hens were randomly distributed among five treatments with six repetitions of six birds each. The acidity index and peroxide index of coconut meal treated with or without BHT at different periods of time increased with storage time. Nevertheless, treatments did not affect laying hens' performance or egg quality. Coconut meal stored for 35 days, although showing lipid peroxidation, can be included at 10% level in the diet for commercial poultry.
BHT; egg production; Haugh units; peroxide index
