Abstract
The parameters focussed upon in this study included some endocrinological and a few behavioural aspects of camels, growth rate of camel calves, milk production and its composition, and certain welfare traits. Quantification of the principal hormones i.e progesterone (P) and estradiol17f} (E,) in six she-camels was done through radioimmunoassay, starting from 28 days before mating on alternate basis and for the same number of days postmating (both during follicular and luteal phases). Of the total active browsing time, adults and sucklers spent 25.55 and 26.14% time respectively in browsing Acacia modes/a (Pholai), while youngstock browsed Olea ferruginea (Kahu) for maximum time (31.86%.). During the same course, certain miscellaneous activities such as duration of standing idle and rumination and frequency' of urination and defecation were also observed. Male camels on average spent 12.18 ± 1.06 min per coupling. She camels took on average 4.3 min to expel the foetus and 12.25 min in shedding placenta. Observations on newly born calves included time for elevation, ambulation, udder searching and first suckling attempt immediately after birth. Average daily growth rate of calves determined for first six months was 0.79 ± 0.01 kg attaining its peak (0.86 kg) in fourth month. They attained 126 ± 4.64 kg body weight during six months. Mean milk yield during first six months was 2100 ± 163 litres with an average daily yield of 11.66 ± 0.90 litres using thrice a day milking. Average percentage values of protein, fat, solids-not-fat, total solids and acidity in milk were 2.85, 3.57, 9.00, 12.36 and 0.20 respectively. Mean specific gravity of camel milk was 1.03 ± 0.007. Regarding welfare aspects, camels were found being put to work, irrespective of sex, at about 4 years of age. They were worked up to 8.68 hr daily in summer (with interval) and4.03 hr daily in summer (without intervaljIn winter, they worked throughout the day. Majority (61.33%) of camels were used for back load followed by their use for certain agricultural operations such as ploughing, planking, sugarcane crushing, chaff cutting and haulage of various agricultural commodities and for pulling carts. Males and females as pack animals carried on average about 414 and 306 kg respectively, while males pulled up to 3400 kg cart load with a range from 3200 to 4600 kg. In general, camels were found as being well looked after by the farmers as well as owners of. camel carts.
