MILK PRODUCTION POTENTIAL OF PAKISTANI CAMEL (CAMELUS DROMEDARIUS) UNDER THE DRY LAND CONDITIONS OF THE PUNJAB

Published: November 20, 2011

By: Arshad Iqbal, M.Younas, Bakht Baidar Khan and Bernard Faye

Summary

The study was undertaken to assess the dairy character of single humped camels raised under dry land conditions in Pakistan. Milk production of five shecamels was recorded monthly from 7th day post-calving till the completion of six months lactation. The browsing/grazing for these animals in the mountainous rangeland mainly comprised local natural resources. Common salt and water were provided ad-libitum. All the camels were hand milked after the calves suckled the udder. Experimental animals produced 2100.61±163.32 litres milk in a period of 180 days. The mean milk production was 11.66 ± 0.90 liters per day, with the peak milk production in the second month of lactation. The results of the study revealed that camel possess an appreciable dairy potential even under the ranges or dry land conditions. This can be further exploited under good feeding and management conditions coupled with their careful selection and breeding. Key words: Milk production, Camel, Dry land, Pakistan

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