Energy and protein utilization of lucerne hay and barley grain by yearling camel calves

Two trials were conducted with eight yearling camels with an average intial body weight of 300 kg, to evaluate protein and energy values of lucerne hay and barley grains. In each trial, eight animals were randomly allotted to two different dietary treatments of coarsely ground lucerne hay or lucerne hay + barley grain (50:50) in such a way that two animals in each of the two blocks received the same ration. Each trial consisted of a 10-day preliminary period followed by a 7-day collection period during which total urine and faeces collections were made, and samples were processed and composited for later analysis. All animals consumed daily an average of about 5 kg food divided in two equal meals. The apparent digestibility coefficients for organic matter, crude protein, neutral-detergent fibre and cellulose of the lucerne hay ration improved respectively from 0·615, 0·662, 0·455 and 0·555 to 0·736, 0·655, 0·547 and 0·589, as a result of incorporating 500 g/kg barley grain in place of hay in the diet. Even though there was no difference in the proportion of nitrogen retained relative to intake, the proportion of nitrogen retained relative to that absorbed was higher ( P