Growth, feed utilization efficiency and nutrient utilisation in growing camel calves.

摘要

Five Bikaneri camel calves (19 days old, 49.8 kg body weight) were allowed to suckle for 11 months and also offered dry moth chara (Phaseolus aconitifolius) ad libitum from the 4th month. Feed conversion of calves on milk initially decreased up to the third month (0.62) followed by a continuous increase until the 9th month (8.19) and declined slightly in the 11th month (7.48). Digestibility of crude fibre was low (40.06%) in the 10th month and nutrient requirements of the 185.5-kg calves were met through an intake of 57.69 g DM, 4.87 g digestible CP and 0.571 MJ ME/kg0.75. Low Na, Mn and negative Zn absorption values with concomitant low serum values indicated a need for supplementation of these minerals.