Performance of lactating dromedary camels maintained on different energy rations under arid ecosystem

In a lactation trial of 194 days, 10 Jaisalmeri breed camels aged 10–20 years having body weights of 607.90 ± 24.63 kg in their 2–4 parity were fed on iso-nitrogenous (12%) complete feed blocks having 50 (G1), 55 (G2) and 60% (G3) levels. Milk yield of group G1 was minimum 7.69 litres per day and it was maximum of 8.44 litres/d in group G3 indicating positive effect of higher dietary energy level. During the experimental period group G1 lactating camels lost their body weights (49 kg or -256.54 g/d), group G2 camels maintained whereas the lactating camels of group G3 lost marginally (−5.75 kg or -29.64 g/d) live weights. The dry matter intake (DMI) kg/d or kg/100 kg body weight was 9.77 ± 0.07 or 1.72 ± 0.03 in group G1 and 9.84 ± 0.12 or 1.65 ± 0.04 in group G 2 which were statistically similar but significantly (P<0.5) increased to 11.57 ± 0.81 or 1.99 ± 0.08 in group G3, respectively. Digestibility coefficients of OM and NFE proximate principles differed significantly (P<0.05) among three groups which increased from group G1 to group G3. The digestibility of DM, CP, EE and CF was similar among group G1 and G2 but was significantly (P<0.05) different and lower than that in group G3. The daily intake of DCP (g), TDN (g) and ME (MJ)/kg metabolic body weight was significantly (P<0.05) different among 3 groups and increased from group G1 to G3 with increase in dietary energy level. The daily intake of DCP (g), TDN (g) and ME (MJ)/kg metabolic body weight was 5.07 ± 0.07, 43.19 ± 0.53 and 0.65± 01 in group G1; 5.32 ± 0.13, 44.19 ± 1.12, 0.67 ± 0.02 in group G2 and 6.79 ± 0.03, 60.32 ± 1.53 and 0.91 ± 0.03 in group G3, respectively. It was inferred that lactating camels of group G3 given complete feed block containing 6.97% DCP and 107.21 ME MJ performed better in terms of milk yield, body weight maintenance and nutrient utilisation.