Performance of Male Breeding Camels on Different Energy Rations during Rutting Season

Eight male breeding camels of Bikaneri and J aisalmeri breed of 10–14 years of age and 779± 36 kg body weight, allotted to 2 groups of 4 each, were offered feed blocks containing either bajra (Group B) or jaggery plus groundnut oil (Group 0). Daily feed intake and body weights declined more in group B than in Group 0 camels during the experimental period. Variation for DM intake and water intake between the groups was non significant. Mean DM intake of 8.99 ± 0.91 kg/d or 1.29 ± 0.11 1100 kg body weight in group B was lower than the corresponding values of 9.89 ± 0.54 kg/d or 1.40 ± 0.09 kg/100 kg body weight in group O. Water intake, 5.76 ± 0.53 I kg DM in group B and 5.441 kg DM in group 0 were similar. DM digestibility was 75.86 ± 0.76 in group Band 72.00 ± 2.78 in group O. Nutrient digestibility and intake of DM, DCP and TDN g/kgW 0.75 did not vary significantly between the groups. Serum GPT, triglycerides and phosphorus were higher (P<0.01) in group 0 than in group B. Nutrients utilization and camel performance were similar in both groups, although the cost of feeding was 71% higher in group 0 than in group B.