Assessment of physiological and fatigue endurance limit of dromedary camel in rotary mode of operation with optimal feeding ration

Abstract

The studies was conducted on 3 dromedary camels (545–640 kg body weight; 8–10 years age) to assess their work performance and physiological endurance limit with optimum feeding ration in rotary mode of operation. The camels were offered gram straw (Cicer arietinum) as sole ration in all the treatments but in T2 and T3 camels were supplemented with concentrate mixture having 65 and 75% TDN, respectively. A loading car was used to apply and vary the load on the camels in rotary mode of operation. The camels were operated at a draught level of 14% of their body weight with work rest cycle of 2h (W)- 1h (R)- 2h (W)- 4h (R)- 2h (W)- 1h (R)-2h (W). The nutrient utilisation was significantly (P<0.05) higher in T1 followed by T2 and T3. The physiological responses of the camels viz. pulse rate, respiration rate and rectal temperature increased with duration of work where as speed of operation decreased with duration of work. The speed varied in range 2.97 to 2.75 km/h, 2.5 to 2.43 km/h and 2.26 to 2.2 km/h in I, II, III and IV session and the rate of decrease was 7.4, 3, 7.6 and 2.6%, respectively. Fatigue score was found to increase with duration of work which might be due to increase in the physiological response and appearance of physical symptoms with increase in duration of work. It was concluded from results that the physiological responses and fatigue score increased with duration of work where as, speed of operation decreased with duration of work in dromedary camels fed with optimal ration.