Influence of Prolonged Feeding Atriplex Halimus (Saltbush) on Pregnant Camels Production and There Calves Performance

Document Type : Original Research Articles (Regular Papers)

Authors

1 Department of Nutrition, Desert Research Center

2 Dept. of nutrition, DRC

3 Department of animal and fish Production, Faculty of Agriculture (Saba Basha), Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt.

4 DRC

Abstract

            This study was conducted to study the impact of long term o feeding Atriplex Halimus (saltbush) on she-camel performance during pregnancy and suckling periods to weaning their calves compared with those fed Berseem hay (control group).  Results indicated that, no significant effect on the overall dry matter intake (DMI). Pregnant camels groups either fed hay or Atriplex gained 100.80 and 107.13 kg, respectively, with no significant differences. All camel dams exhibited (P<0.05) loss in BW (Body weight) during suckling ranged from -20.45 to -31.47 kg for control and Atriplex groups respectively. After weaning all camel dams showed some gain in body weight, which averaged 17.98 and 16.40 kg per head, respectively. Camel dams group fed Atriplex recorded higher (P<0.01) drinking water intake. Milk production (P<0.05) increased from 3.31 to 4.00 Kg/day/camel, respectively. Milk of camel dams group fed Atriplex contained (P<0.05) the higher milk protein, lactose and total solids percent. No significant differences in birth weights, growth rate and weaning weights of calves born for She-camels fed hay or Atriplex diets. These results indicated that camels can challenge hard conditions with good production and reproduction performance.

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