Effect of Different Watering Regimes in Summer Season on Water Intake, Feed Intake, and Milk Production of Marecha She-camel (Camelus dromedarius)
Faraz, A.; Khan, N.U.; Passantino, A.; Pugliese, M.; Eyduran, E.; Pastrana, C.I.; Ismail, A.; Tauqir, N.A.; Waheed, A.; Nabeel, M.S.
Animals: An Open Access Journal from Mdpi 11(5)
2021
ISSN/ISBN: 2076-2615
PMID: 34066866
DOI: 10.3390/ani11051342
Accession: 071647705
Twelve lactating healthy Marecha she-camels in the early lactation stage during the summer at Camel Breeding and Research Station Rakh-Mahni (Pakistan) were included. All animals were fed with Medicago sativa and Cicer arientinum ad libitum and divided into three groups in relation to the access to water, after a period of seven days of adaptation to experimental conditions. Group 1 (G1) was considered as control having access to water once every day; Group 2 (G2) had access once every 4 days, while Group 3 (G3) had access once every 6 days. The duration of the study was 60 days with an adaptation period to experimental conditions of 7 days before the onset of the study. Dry matter intake (DMI) was calculated on a dry matter basis. On average the ambient temperature and relative humidity during the trial were 39-41 °C and 55-63%, respectively. The DMI, water intake, milk production, and body weight changes were affected (p < 0.001) during various watering regimes. The mean values of water intake were found to be 82.94 ± 1.34 L higher in G3 than G1 and G2.