# Effects of coconut meal inclusion on growth performance, nutrient utilization, carcass characteristics, and meat quality in Awassi Lambs

## TL;DR

Adding coconut meal to Awassi lamb diets improved economic efficiency without harming growth or meat quality.

## Contribution

Demonstrated coconut meal as a viable, cost-effective feed ingredient for Awassi lambs.

## Key findings

- COC10 increased fiber and fat intake without affecting growth or feed efficiency.
- Production cost per kg of weight gain was reduced by 16% with COC10 inclusion.
- No negative effects on carcass traits, meat quality, or blood profiles were observed.

## Abstract

Feed cost constitutes a major constraint in small ruminant production systems in Jordan. The search for alternative, cost-effective feed ingredients has prompted interest in coconut meal (COC), a by-product of coconut oil extraction. This study evaluated the effects of including 10% COC (COC10) in the diet on the growth performance, nutrient utilization, carcass characteristics, and meat quality of growing Awassi lambs.

Twenty-four male Awassi lambs (17.2 ± 0.63 kg) were randomly assigned to two dietary treatments: A control diet without COC (CON) and a test diet with 100 g/kg dry matter (DM) COC (COC10). The feeding trial lasted 70 days, comprising a 7-day adaptation and a 63-day experimental period. Feed intake and growth performance were monitored throughout. On day 49, five lambs per group were used to assess nutrient digestibility and nitrogen balance using total fecal and urine collection in metabolic cages. On day 64, lambs were slaughtered to evaluate carcass characteristics and meat quality. Blood samples were collected for serum biochemical analysis.

The inclusion of COC10 significantly increased acid detergent fiber and ether extract intake (p ≤ 0.05), with no adverse effects on DM intake, weight gain, feed efficiency, or nutrient digestibility (p > 0.05). Economic analysis revealed a 16% reduction in production cost per kg of weight gain in the COC10 group (p = 0.05). No significant effects were observed on carcass traits, meat quality parameters, or blood biochemical profiles.

Incorporating COC10 into the diet of Awassi lambs had no detrimental impact on growth, carcass characteristics, or health status, while improving economic efficiency. COC is a viable alternative protein and energy source in lamb diets. Further research is warranted to determine optimal inclusion rates under varying production systems.