Email this article Performance of Dromedary Camels (Camelus Dromedaries) Fed Diets Containing Varying Levels of Crude Protein
Abstract
A study was conducted to evaluate the performance of dromedary camels fed diets containing varying levels of crude protein (CP) (14, 16 and 18% CP). Eighteen (18) growing male and female camels with an average body weight of 199±2.5kg were used for the study. The camels were housed in individual pens equipped with feeding and water troughs. The camels were randomly allocated to 3 diets containing varying levels of CP (14, 16 and 18%) and 2 sexes (males and females) in 3 x 2 factorial arrangements, replicated 3 times in a completely randomized design (CRD). The feeding trial lasted for 90 days. Camels fed 14% CP performed significantly higher (64.50 kg) compared to those on 16 (40.00 kg) and 18% (54.70 kg) CP diets. The average daily weight gain was significantly higher (716.67 g/d) in camels on 14% CP diet followed by those on an 18% CP diet (607.78g/d). Similarly, Camels on a 14% CP diet recorded a significantly (P<0.05) higher FCR (6.89) and higher DM, CP and CF digestibility compared to those on 16 and 18% CP. However, no significant (P>0.05) difference was observed in most of the serum biochemical parameters measured. The feed cost in Naira per kilogram (kg) increased with an increase in crude protein levels in the diets from N68.51/kg to N77.91/kg. The feed cost/kg gain was higher (N77.91/kg) at 18% CP level and lower (N68.51/kg) at 14% CP level. It was concluded that a diet containing 14% CP improved the growth performance of dromedary camels and was economically better than diets containing 16 and 18% CP, hence a diet containing 14% CP is recommended for camels in the study area.
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