G. S. Tiwari

Influence of Replacement of Cotton Seed Cake with Ambadi Cake (Hibiscus canabinus L.) in the Diets of Indian Camels (Camelus dromedarius)

The present study was undertaken to investigate the effect of replacement of cotton seed cake with ambadi cake (Hibiscus canabinus L.) on the performance of Indian camels. The experiment was carried out in 3 × 3 latin square design using 3 treatments viz., T1: concentrate mixture using cotton seed cake; T2: 50% replacement of cotton seed cake by ambadi cake (Hibiscus canabinus L.) and T3: 100% replacement of cotton seed cake by ambadi cake in concentrate mixture. Iso-nitrogenous and iso-caloric concentrate mixtures were prepared. There was no significant difference in digestibility of nutrients. The DE and ME contents were 2.83 and 2.29, 2.88 and 2.32 and 2.74 and 2.21 Mcal/kg DM in treatments T1, T2 and T3, respectively. The dry matter and nutrient intakes were not affected by treatments on feeding ambadi cake at 16% level in concentrate mixture. There was also no significant difference for draught, speed of operation and power out on replacing conventional protein source with ambadi cake. Likewise, rectal temperature, pulse rate and respiration rate were also similar in all the treatments but there was increase in the physiological responses in camels before and after carting irrespective of treatments. Thus, feeding of ambadi cake at 16% level in the concentrate mixture could safely replace cotton seed cake without affecting the performance of Indian camels under sustained working conditions.

Effect of Feeding Supplemental Concentrate on Nutrient Utilization in Dromedary Camels under Sustained Working Conditions

An experiment was conducted using three dromedary camels (545–640 kg BW; 8–10 years old) to study the effect of feeding supplemental concentrates on nutrient utilization under sustained working conditions in rotary mode of operation. The camels were offered gram (Cicer arietinum) straw as basal diet (T1) in all the treatments; but in treatments T2 and T3 the camels were additionally supplemented with concentrate mixture having 65 and 75% TDN, respectively. The supplementation of concentrate to gram straw improved (P<0.05) nutrient digestibility. Likewise, DCP and TDN contents were higher in T3 followed by T2 and T1. The DM intake was also improved in response to supplementation of concentrates and was higher in T3 as compared to T2 and T1; this trend was also reflected in higher daily consumption of DCP and TDN. The voluntary water intake was significantly higher in treatment groups fed supplemental concentrates when compared to the control group fed gram straw alone. It is concluded that supplementation of sole gram straw diet with a concentrate having 75% TDN improved DM intake and nutrient utilization by working camels.