On farm testing of camel management practices in changing agro–ecological scenario

Abstract

In a feeding management experiment eight camel calves were allotted randomly into two equal groups and reared under stall feeding management condition (group-I) and under stall feeding along with grazing management practices (group-II) for a period of 173 days. The average growth rate, body weight and morpho-metric parameters viz: body length, heart girth, height at wither, neck length, and leg length (fore & hind) were significantly (P<0.01) higher in group-II animals as compared to group-I. The horizontal hump circumference was found to be similar but vertical the hump circumference varied significantly (P<0.05) between two groups. The ethological aspect of feeding behaviour indicated the order of feeding behavioural preference was for Khejri (Prosopis cineraria), followed by Phog (Calligonum polygonoides) and Ganthia (Dactyloctenioum aegyptium) among trees, bushes and grasses, respectively. Overall better performance of group-II was due to higher plane of nutrition as compared to group-I. The levels of glucose, total protein and globulin were significantly (P<0.05) higher in group II also indicated better management practices in group-II as compared to group-I. Similarly the average levels of serum calcium, phosphorus, zinc and iron as well as levels of hair minerals like sulphur, calcium, zinc and iron were also significantly (P<0.05) higher in group-II than group-I. The total feeding cost per calf was higher in group-I as compared to group-II and due to it the cost involved for one kg body weight gain was quite less and economical in group-II than group-I. Thus the practice of stall feeding along with grazing management found to be better as compared to stall feeding alone for camel calf rearing.