Growth Performance and Hair Mineral Status of Marecha (Camelus dromedarius) Calves Reared under Different Management Systems
Growth Performance and Hair Mineral Status of Marecha (Camelus dromedarius) Calves Reared under Different Management Systems
Asim Faraz1,*, Muhammad Younas2, Abdul Waheed1, Muhammad Yaqoob2 and Kashif Ishaq3
ABSTRACT
Current study was executed at Camel Breeding and Research Station (CBRS) Rakh Mahni, to examine the growth performance and hair mineral status of Marecha calves (Camelus dromedarius) reared under intensive (IMS) and semi-intensive management systems (SIMS). Twelve Marecha calves were randomly allotted to two comparable groups of 6, (3 ♂ and 3 ♀). First group animals were reared under IMS, fed concentrate @ 1 kg/h/d plus crop residues of gram (Cicer arientinum) ad lib while in second group, calves were reared under SIMS, sent for grazing 8 hours daily plus gram crop residues ad lib. Twice watering was done in both the groups. At end of trial mean body weight and ADG of male and female calves was significantly increased (P<0.05) in IMS (80.83+2.7, 77.83+2.7 kg and 0.674+0.02, 0.649+0.02 kg/d) than SIMS (50.33+2.7, 45.16+2.7 kg and 0.419+0.02, 0.376+0.02 kg/d), respectively. Intake of crop residues varied (P<0.05) between groups (6.93+0.45, 6.37+0.45; 4.09+0.46, 3.83+0.46 kg/d in male and female calves, respectively). Available species for grazing/browsing were kikar, phulai, beri, siras, jand, khagal, dhaman, persain, khawi, bui, bhakra, kari, laana, phog, karir and khar laana. Regarding hair mineral status Ca, Mg, Cu, Zn, Fe and Mn concentrations were found to be significantly different (P<0.05) between calf groups being higher in IMS as (685.07±15.86, 595.67±15.86; 104.33±5.12, 101.17±5.12; 7.08±0.34, 6.73±0.34; 65.33±2.25, 59.33±2.25; 322.20±8.67, 311.10±8.67; 46.53±1.83, 40.67±1.83 mg/dL in male and female) than SIMS (523.18±15.86, 486.98±15.86; 80.58±5.12, 78.21±5.12; 5.56±0.34, 4.33±0.34; 55.53±2.25, 43.83±2.25; 294.20±8.67, 239.93±8.67; 31.23±1.83, 25.40±1.83 mg/dL in male and female).
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April 2019
Vol. 51, Iss. 1, Pages 399-799
