The Effect of Supplemeintry Feeding on Camel Calves Growth Rate and Daily gain

Abstract

The study aimed to investigate the impact of supplementary feeding on the young camel calves’ growth rate and daily gain. A total of 16 heads of young male camel calves from the Arabic camel breeds were selected and divided into four equal groups (1, 2, 3, 4).  Four heads of camel calves in each group, their body weight ranged from 176-220 kg. Experimental animal in group one was control supplemented nothings just depend on the natural range land, group two was feed on watermelon seeds, group three was allowanced concentrated diet composed of ground nut cake and the animals in group four intake mixture diet consist of watermelon seeds and ground nut cake 50% for each. The body weight of the experimental animal was determined biweekly using table balance. The random complete experimental design was used and the Analysis of variance and Tukey test were applied for data analysis and means separation. The results indicated that the average Body weights of the camel calves were 174.75± 3.3, 275.93± 9.0, 241.50± 8.5 and 236.50±8.2 Kg, in group one, two, three and four respectively. The higher body weight was recorded in group two (275.93±9 Kg) in which the animals feed on watermelon seeds and followed by group three and four (241.50± 8.5 and 236.50±8.2) respectively. On the other hand the less camel calves body weight was obtained in group one (control) that experimental animals not intake supplementary feeding. Highly differences (P≤0.01) were obtained in the body weight between the groups. The daily gain of the first group, second, third and fourth were 214±12g, 624±28g, 542±19g and 528±12g, respectively, while no significant differences (P ≥ 0.01) between diets groundnut cake 242 kg and mixture diet 237 kg.  The protein content was higher in ground nut cake 41% when compared to the protein content in watermelon seeds 36%, on the other hand the percentage of fat was highest in watermelon seeds 27.8% compared to ground nut cake 13.4%.