The effect of dietary crude protein level and source of roughage on growth performance of calf-camels

Abstract

: Forty-eight Majaheem calf-camels, having an average body weight of 203.3 kg, were utilized in a feeding trial to evaluate the effect of graded levels of crude protein and source of roughage in the diets on daily DM intake, growth rate and feed to gain ratio over an 18-week feeding period. Calf-camels were randomly and equally placed in a 2X3 factorial arrangement of two dietary roughages (Rhodesgrass hay and dried Salicornia biomass) and three dietary levels of crude protein (12, 14.5 and 17%). Camels were slaughtered at the end of the feeding period; thereafter, slaughter weight, hot carcass weight and carcass characteristics were determined. The results showed that slaughtered body weight, daily growth rate, daily organic matter intake, feed to gain ratio, hot carcass weight and separable fat from the 9-11 ribs were improved (P<0.05) significantly as the crude protein in the diets increased from 12 to 14.5%; thereafter, negligible changes in all formerly characters were monitored as the crude protein in the diets increased from 14.5 to 17%. Including Rhodesgrass hay or Salicornia biomass in the diets did not significantly (P>0.05) affect slaughtered body weight, daily growth rate and daily organic matter intake. However, including Rhodesgrass hay in the diets improved (P<0.05) the feed to gain ratio and produced carcasses with significantly (P<0.05) smaller rib-eye area and lower percentages of separable and intramuscular fat from the 9-11 ribs as compared to dried Salicornia biomass.