Effect of Mamangement system on the performance of dromedary camel claves reared under organised 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<0.05)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.