Effect of certain factors on hair quality attributes in Indian dromedary camel managed in an organised farm

Abstract

Hair samples (188) collected from 4 important body sites of 47 Indian dromedary camels belonging to 3 age groups (1,4 and 8 year) and from 3 breeds (Bikaneri, Jaisalmeri and Kachchhi) were analysed for quality attributes of hair. The hair samples taken from shoulder, mid, hump, and neck region of individual camel were compared for staple length, hair diameter and hair types, viz. pure, hetro, hairy and kemp. The data were analysed using mixed mode least square and maximum likely hood programme to study the factors like breed, sex, site and age influencing hair quality attributes. The mean staple-length varied from 4.65± 0.42 cm to 6.68±0.2 I cm. The body sites and age significantly (P<0.01) influenced the staple length whereas sex had a nonsignificant effect. The Bikaneri camel showed minimum mean hair diameter followed by laisalmeri and Kachchhi breeds. The least square analysis indicated significant (P<0.01) effect of all factors, viz. breed, sex, site and age on hair diameter. The pure type had minimum hair diameter followed by hetro hairy and kemp in all 3 breeds, both sex, in all age groups and also in all body sites of camel. The factors like breed and age had significant (P<0.01) effect on all types of hair whereas site significantly (P<0.01) influenced pure, hetro and hairy types. The nonsignificant effect of sex on kemp type was also observed. The mid side of body region indicated maximum percentage of pure hair whereas neck region had maximum kemp hair. The breed and age factor affected significantly (P<0.01) all hair types. The sex had nonsignificant effect on hetro, hairy, kemp but significant effect on pure type. The body site had a significant effect on kemp hair.