Effect of water deprivation on nutrient utilization in Indian camels during winter

Abstract

Indian camels (6) of Bikaneri breed, aged 4-5 years. were maintained on dry chaffed Phaseolus aconilifolius fodder for 2 months during winter. The camels (3) in group 1 on twice-a-week watering schedule served as control. Group 2 camels (3) were deprived of drinking water for 20 days. The digestibility coefficients of dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP) and ether extract (EE) after an initial decline showed an increase during the last phase of dehydration (18-20 days) but the crude fibre declined continuously. There was a continuous decrease in the balance of nitrogen following dehydration. The average body weight (kg). and intakes of OM. DCP and TDN (g/kg W^0.75) exhibited significant (p<0.01) decrease between days 1820 of dehydration in comparison to initial values. After rehydration. the pre-dehydration status of body weight, nutrient intake and utilization pattern was achieved. The results indicated that camels could tolerate 20 days of water deprivation stress during winter and were capable of regaining theirnonnal nutritional and metabolic pattern on rehydration.