Effect of Feeding Supplemental Concentrate on Nutrient Utilization in Dromedary Camels under Sustained Working Conditions

An experiment was conducted using three dromedary camels (545–640 kg BW; 8–10 years old) to study the effect of feeding supplemental concentrates on nutrient utilization under sustained working conditions in rotary mode of operation. The camels were offered gram (Cicer arietinum) straw as basal diet (T₁) in all the treatments; but in treatments T₂ and T₃ the camels were additionally supplemented with concentrate mixture having 65 and 75% TDN, respectively. The supplementation of concentrate to gram straw improved (P<0.05) nutrient digestibility. Likewise, DCP and TDN contents were higher in T₃ followed by T₂ and T₁. The DM intake was also improved in response to supplementation of concentrates and was higher in T₃ as compared to T₂ and T₁; this trend was also reflected in higher daily consumption of DCP and TDN. The voluntary water intake was significantly higher in treatment groups fed supplemental concentrates when compared to the control group fed gram straw alone. It is concluded that supplementation of sole gram straw diet with a concentrate having 75% TDN improved DM intake and nutrient utilization by working camels.