Camel Production

                               Camel Products and Services

1. Milk
2. Meat
3. Work
4. Medicinal
5. Use Hair
6. Recreation
7. Race
8. Riding

         Camel Types

1.    Dromedary (Single humped).......Also called Arabian Camel

2.    Bactrian (double humped)

            Camel Characteristics

1.    Birth weight 30-40 kg (breed differences)

2.    Mature weight 500-600 kg in 6-7 years

3.    In females, puberty starts from 2-3  years

4.    Age at 1st calving 4 - 5 years

5.    Gestation length about 13 months

6. Female camels can remain fertile up to the age of 25 years.

7. It is often reported that camels produce 8–10 calves during life.

                 Water and Salt Requirement

1. The salt requirement of camels is very high and is six to eight times higher than that of other domestic animals.
2. The salt requirement is only partly satisfied by grazing.
3. When camels are restless, with reduced appetite and milking performance, they take this as a sure sign of salt deficiency.
4. Camels can survive in times of extreme need for up to 30 days without water.

 

                               Camel Adaptability in Desert

1.   Desert animals can thrive on little feed and water.
2. Hump stores fat. Fat is metabolized to form water.
3.  Can drink water from 130 to 200 liters if thirsty.
4.  Nostrils can be closed to avoid sand.
5. Two rows of eyelashes with Third eyelid windshield wiper.
6. Split upper lip Help to browse bushes.
7. Long legs keep body up from the hot sand.
8. Tall head attachment avoids mirage.
9.  Body pads are thick and keep the body away from the sitting surface.
10. Camel feet adapted to walk on the sand the pad beneath the foot spread out and prevent sinking in the sand.
11. Can fluctuate its body temperature over a range (34°C to 41.7°C)
12. Oval shaped RBCs.
13. They sit facing the sun to avoid the surface area for heat absorption.
14. Ears are small and have their hairs.
15.  Hair coat prevents heat penetration

                                   

                                             Camel Production

• A major problem in camel productivity is the high mortality rate of camel calves in the first 3 months.
• The causes of mortality are mainly poor management practice and infectious diseases.
• Unfortunately, there is a common belief among many pastoralists that colostrum causes diarrhea and, consequently, is unsuitable for the new-born calf.
• This widespread practice of withholding the colostrum from the new-born calves, depriving them of essential antibodies, is certainly a crucial factor in the frequently reported high calf mortality in the pastoral production systems.

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