A. Raziq1, M. Younas2, M.S. Khan3 and A. Iqbal4
Livestock and Dairy Development Balochistan1, Department of Livestock Management2 and 4,
Department of Animal Breeding and Genetics, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad3, Pakistan
ABSTRACT
The dromedary camel is a milk producing animal but its potential as a dairy animal has not been thoroughly evaluated. This study comprises 40 lactating camels of Kohi breed, selected from pastoral herds in northeastern Balochistan, Pakistan. Sampling was performed in 2006, every 15th day during one lactation period (259±7 days). The daily milk yield ranged from 6.1-11.7 kg with a mean daily yield of 10.2±0.4 kg/day. Parity and age of the camels affected the milk yield. The highest milk yield 3168 kg was demonstrated in the 5th parity (13.5 years), followed by 3051 kg in the 3rd parity (8.8 years) and 3010 kg in the 4th parity (11.5 years). The lowest milk yield was 1566 kg produced in the 1st parity (4.5 years) (p<0.05). The study demonstrates the dairy potential of Kohi dromedary camels in traditional pastoral management.
Key words: Balochistan, dairy, lactation, Pakistan, pastoral, Suleiman
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