Abstract
A 6-month study was undertaken on 14 camel calves aged 7 days to observe their comparative growth performance.
Five calves belonged to the Barani Livestock.Production Research Institute (BLPRI), District Attock, Pakistan, while
the rest were owned by the farmers living in the vicinity of BLPRI. All calves sucked milk from their respective
dams ad libitum. They started nibbling almost at 4 weeks of age. Vegetation for browsing/grazing mainly comprised
Pholai (Acacia modesta), Kandair (A/ha}i came/orum) and Kao (O/ea cuspidata). Monthly growth rate of the Institute
calves was determined by actual weighing the animals coupled with their weight. assessed by a standard formula
based on body measurements. Because of non-availability of weigh bridge at farmers premises, growth rate of farmer's
calves was assessed by using the formula method only. Institute calves on an average attained a net weight gain
of 135.451 ± 6.35 kg, while farmer's calves gained 149.20 ± 3.06 kg. Daily growth rate in respect of Institute and
fanner's camel calves worked out to be 0.75 and 0.82 kg respectively. On overall basis, daily growth rate of camel
calves' could be due to personal attention given to them by their owners. The present findings are indicative of
the great potential possessed by camel calves which can further be exploited under optimum feeding and management
conditions for alleviating the animal protein deficiency prevailing in overpopulated and underdeveloped countries like
Pakistan.
Key words: camel calves, comparative growth
