Impact of diets with different levels of leguminous roughages on nutrient intake, draught performance, blood biochemical and physiological parameters in dromedary camels

The experiment was conducted using nine dromedary camels of Bikaneri breed averaging 8-9 years age and 583-692 kg body weight at National Research Centre on Camels, Bikaner, India. The effect of feeding different levels of leguminous roughages on nutrient intake, draught performance, blood biochemical and physiological parameters in dromedary camels was evaluated using completely randomized design over a period of 60 days. Among the leguminous roughages, groundnut haulms (Arachis hypogaea) and cluster bean straw (Cyamopsis tetragonoloba) were fed in one of three ratios, 75:25, 50:50 and 25:75 in treatments T1, T2 and T3, respectively and concentrate mixture as per requirement of the camels. The dry matter intake (DMI) on percent and metabolic body weight basis did not differ significantly among the treatments. However, digestible crude protein intake (DCPI) was significantly higher in T1 followed by T2 and T3. Likewise, total digestible nutrients intake (TDNI) was higher in T1 as compared to T2 and T3. The nutritive value was significantly higher in camels fed on T1 as compared to other treatments. The feeding of different levels of groundnut haulms and cluster bean straw influenced the speed of travel and power developed by the camels which was significantly better in T1 followed by T2 and T3. There was significant change in blood biochemical parameters with response to treatments and work. The treatment groups did not show any significant effect on lactate, triglycerides, phosphorus and calcium content of blood in camels before work. There was increase in lactate content in all the treatments manifold times after work. There was significant increase in glucose content when the camels were exposed to work which also differed significantly among the treatment groups. The increase in physiological responses was noted in all the treatments before and after work but the difference was statistically significant for pulse and respiration rates. It has been concluded from the results that feeding of groundnut haulms (Arachis hypogaea) and cluster bean straw (Cyamopsis tetragonoloba) in proportion of 75:25 had beneficial effect as compared to other treatment groups and is recommended for better performance of dromedary camels. However, the cluster bean straw in higher proportions can be used in the ration of dromedary camels with certain roughage improvement practices.