Review of Camel Calves Nutrition and Management in Kenya

Tura Isako ,J O Ondiek ,A M Kingori ,Paul Anthans Onjoro

doi:10.7176/jnsr/10-8-04

Abstract

Camels are important livestock species in the arid and semi-arid lands (ASALs) of Kenya. Camels provide milk, meat and serves as means of transport (drawing water, carry make shift houses, elderly people and children) for mobile pastoral communities. They supply milk and meat even during dry and drought periods when other livestock species struggle for their survival. Production systems for the camels are largely extensive with camel husbandry techniques mainly inherited from pastoral traditional knowledge passed down over generations. High calf mortality (about 63%) is a common phenomenon in the pastoral production systems of northern Kenya. A review was conducted to established causes of the high mortality and recommendations developed with a view to reduce mortality to manageable levels. This review showed that calf colostrum suckling restriction at birth, calf diarrhoea and other diseases, milk competition with calves for household consumption and income generation and limited forages during droughts were among the major causes of camel calf mortality. The review consolidated previous research on camel calves’ nutrition and management and has recommended nutrition and management tips to reduce mortality. Key words : calve mortality, milk competition, colostrum, supplementation, milk replacer. DOI: 10.7176/JNSR/10-8-04 Publication date: April 30 th 2020

Highlights

Camels are resilient livestock species that provide constant supply of milk and meat under harsh conditions in arid and semi-arid areas of Kenya (Tura et al, 2010)
2.1 Pregnant Dam management Good camel neonate management ideally start before birth
6 Conclusion and Recommendations Camel calves are the foundation of a camel herds and form the replacement stock without which herd growth is unlikely

Summary

Introduction

Camels are resilient livestock species that provide constant supply of milk and meat under harsh conditions in arid and semi-arid areas of Kenya (Tura et al, 2010). The significance of colostrum feeding is well demonstrated in the new born camels by the increase in total protein and serum IgG and Immunoglobulin M (IgM) concentrations by 24 hours after birth (Tibary and Anouassi, 2001). Tibary and Anouassi (2001) suggested that new born camel calves should receive 10% of their body weight in colostrum, preferably within the first 12 hours after birth, with half of this amount given in the first 6 hours of birth. Photo 1: Camel calf left with dam for the first one month Field (1979a) reported growth rates of 378 g/day to 655 g/day where camel calves got up to 75% of the dam’s milk in the dry and wet seasons respectively. Age of camel calf Approximate weight of camel Number of feeds Maximum amount calf (kg) per day per feed (litre)

Feeding calf on milk replacer

Findings

Conclusion and Recommendations