Effect of management systems on the performance of dromedary camel calves reared under organized farm condition

Abstract

Camel calves (10),7-to 10-month-old, were allotted randon1ly into 2 conlparable groups of 5 each. First group "vas reared under intensive systenl of management (ISM) with concentrate supplernentation. The second group was reared under semi-intensive system of nlanagement (8ISM) and allowed daily grazing/browsing for about 6 to 7 h. All animals were offered moth crop residue as manger feeding. Watering was done once daily for all camels in both the groups. After 180 days of trial period, Inean body weight and average growth rate were significantly increased in ISM as compared to SISM group. The average total gain was alnl0st double in ISM than SISM. The crop residue intake significantly (P<O.05) varied between the groups. Various biometrical parameters. viz. body length, heart girth, height at withers, hump circumference (horizontal), neck length and leg length (fore) significantly increased in ISM as compared to SISM group. Significant variation was also observed for leg length (hind), foot pad length and width (fore and hind) between groups. Significant and positive correlation between body weight and all biolnetrical paran1eters were observed for both the groups. The level of triglyceride and total protein significantly increased in ISM as compared to SlSM group. Comparatively higher level of urea was found in ISM than SISM. The level of globulin significantly increased in ISM as compared to SISM. The levels of calcium and phosphorus were slightly higher in ISM as cOlnpared to S18M.The first in order of behavioral preference were ganthia (Dactylocteniunz aegyptiCll111), phog (CalligonU/ll polygolloides) and khejri (Prosopis cineraria) among grasses, bushes and trees, respectively. The total feeding cost per calf for 180 days was more in ISM than in SISM group, whereas the total cost per kg body 'Neight gain was quite less and economical in the fonner as compared to the later group.

EFFECT OF INTENSIVE AND SEMI-INTENSIVE MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS ON GROWTH PERFORMANCE AND ECONOMICS OF MARECHA (Camelus dromedarius) CALVES REARED UNDER DESERT CONDITIONS

“…Bakheit et al (2012) reported significant differences in the mean daily weight gain (grams) under semi-intensive (535+9.83) and traditional management systems (TMS) (317+5.46), respectively. Feed intake: These findings are in line with the findings of Bhakat et al (2008) who studied the effect of management systems on growth performance of Indian camel calves and reported that the crop residue intake was significantly varied between two groups, 5.53 vs. 4.37 kg/calf/d in IMS and SIMS, respectively. Moreover, Saini et al (2014) reported higher DMI (kg/d) in stall fed pre-pubescent camels as compared to grazing group.…”

“…Growth rate: The average growth rate was significantly higher (P<0.05) in calves of IMS as compared to the calves of SIMS. These findings are in line with the findings of Bhakat et al (2008) who studied the effect of management systems on growth performance of dromedary camel calves in India, they used 10 camel calves aged between 7-10 months old in their study and divided them randomly into two comparable groups of 5 each. The average initial body weight of both groups was almost similar.…”

“…Grazing preference and behavioral feed intake: Very few scientists have worked on specie preference for camel. Indian scientists Bhakat et al (2008) reported that phog (Calligonum polygonoides), ganthia (Dactyloctenium aegypticum) and khejri (Prosopis cineraria) were of first order in behavioral preference among bushes, grasses and trees, respectively. While in present study regarding grazing preference kari (Capparis spinosa), dhaman (Cenchrus ciliaris) and kikar (Acacia nilotica) got the first score (80-100% preference) among bushes, grasses and trees, respectively.…”

“…The average dry matter values of feed were measured and the dry matter intake (DMI) was determined. The choice of vegetation (grazing duration) was observed and the data was coded on a five point scale refers to the choice among bushes, grasses, trees (Bhakat et al, 2008). Feed intake of different grazing/browsing species of camel calves under SIMS was estimated by behavioral method (Wilson, 1998) and by using NDF values in the formula (Schroeder, 2013).…”

“…Feed intake of different grazing/browsing species of camel calves under SIMS was estimated by behavioral method (Wilson, 1998) and by using NDF values in the formula (Schroeder, 2013). The biometrical parameters were recorded fortnightly with the help of measuring tape before morning feeding (Bhakat et al, 2008). These parameters were body length, chest and abdominal girth, shoulder height, hump circumference (horizontal and vertical), neck length, leg length (fore and hind), foot pad length and width (fore and hind).…”