ABSTRACT

…when nomads move in search of pasture, they can live for

up to a month in the desert on nothing but camel milk... A
heavy Pakistan breeds can surprisingly produce up to 35x
liters per day. Camel urine is devoid of bad odor and less
toxic…

CAMEL MANAGEMENT: COURSE CODE: VAP 3103

Animal Production and Management

A NEED FOR
MODERNIZATION AUTHORS
1810803001 1810803075
…the pathway to a better and safer future. 1810803006 1810803087
1810803021 1810803102
1810803022 1810803109
1810803028 1810803112
1810803041 1920803046
1810803052 1810803053
1810803062 1810803120
1810803068

WRITTEN ON THE 21ST OF OCTOBER, 2021

 TABLE OF CONTENT

INTRODUCTION…………………………………….…………………………………………………………………………PAGE 2

Breeds (Dairy, Beef, Work & Dual Purpose) and Breeding…………….…………………………………………………….PAGE 2

Feeding Requirements and Nutrition………………………………………………………………………………………………PAGE 2

Addition of supplements to feed………………………………………………………….…………...………………………….. PAGE 2

Camel Housing and Management Practices…………………………………………………………………………………... PAGE 3

Camel Housing ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………PAGE 3

Camel Vaccination………………………………………………………………………………………………………………...PAGE 3
Camel Castration ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… PAGE 3
Castration of Camelids: When, Where, Why ……………………………………………………………………………………. PAGE 4
In Females: Spay (neutering females) …………………………………………………………………………………………… PAGE 4

Camel Produce……………………………………………………………………...…………………………………………... PAGE 4

Meat ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… PAGE 4

Milk………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. PAGE 4
Hides & hair ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………PAGE 4
Beast burdens…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. PAGE 5

Camels: Diseases, Prevention and Medication ……………………………………………………………………………….. PAGE 5

ZOONOSIS ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… PAGE 5
Economic Importance of Camel Produce …………………………………………………………………………………….. PAGE 5

Composition of camel milk ……………………………………………………………………………………………………… PAGE 5

Composition of camel meat ……………………………………………………………………………………………………… PAGE 6
Camel urine ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… PAGE 6

Medicinal Benefits ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………… PAGE 6

Conclusion …………………………………………………………...…………………………………………………………. PAGE 6

REFERENCES…………………………………………...…………………………………………………………………….. PAGE 7

1|Page
 INTRODUCTION

Camels are found mostly in Africa and Asia and kept chiefly by nomads. There are two species of camels: one humped Arabian camel
or dromedary camel and two humped Bactrian camels. Camels are raised for milk, meat, fiber, transportation and other works; their
dung is also used as fuel. Milk is often the most important camel product and is the staple food of nomads. When nomads move in
search of pasture, they can live for up to a month in the desert on nothing but camel milk. Camel can produce more milk from poor
feed than any other dairy animals. In northern Kenya, for example camels produce far more milk than cattle. There is growing
recognition of the value and benefits of camel for their milk, meat and fiber. Camel’s dairy products also provide income for the
herders.

Breeds (Dairy, Beef, Work & Dual Purpose) and Breeding
Camel breeding
Camels are sexually matured at 4 to 5 years, although a 3
years old camel can be used for reproduction. I the male, full
reproductive prowess is not developed until six years or even
seven years of age. However camels, both male and female are
seasonal breeders, mating usually take place during rainy or
cold season.longer hours of daylight facilitate breeding season.
As previously mentioned , the female camel is seasonal
polyestrous animal. The period of oestrus is easily
recognizable by the animal by the animals; general
restlessness, often aggressiveness in manner and by swelling
and discharge from the vulva.
The length of the estrus cycle is normally 2-3 weeks, although
in the Bactrian camel can extent to 30-40 days, the actual heat
lasts for 4-3 days, although 21 days was considered as being
the period of heat.
Ovarian cycle activity was fully described as 28-days cycle in
which follicles mature in 6days maintaining their size for 13
days and they regress in 8 days.
The male is also a seasonal breeder as the female. They
undergoes behavioral and hormonal changes during the rutting
season.
In a normal condition the male is docile and easily controlled,
however in the rutting season he become so aggressive that he
is dangerous and cannot be handled, extremely restless. He
blows a balloon like flap out of the side of his mouth which is
called palatal flap. The lips are covered with saliva, the gland
between the ears secret dark, bad smelling, watery secretion,
the back legs are spread and the tail is then beaten against the
penis. Drops of urine are deposited on the tail and spread over
the back eventually, the hindquarters have a strong urine odor.
Pregnancy diagnosis is done through rectal palpation and by
biological assay using infertile mice. The latter method is only
feasible at certain stage of pregnancy, the surest method is by
radio- immune assay.
The gestation period was 365 to 395 whereas some scientists
recorded 373 to 393. The gestation period of the Bactrian
camel is 402days.
The first sign of partition are restlessness if the animal is in a
paddock it pushes against the railing and gazes off into a
distance. In the first stage of parturition the cervix gradually
relaxes, the forefeet of the calf with amnion are forced into the
vagina, in second stage the animal increases straining, the
head then appears then the rest of the body quickly follows.
The first two stages average 27- 30 min, in the third stage the
placenta is expelled.
Feeding Requirements and Nutrition.
Camels are known for their peculiar adaptations to the tough
conditions in the arid/desert zones. They possess specific
behavioral, physiological and nutritional adaptive mechanisms
that enable them withstand extreme direct and indirect
environmental stresses. These animals, like other herbivores
grazing arid rangelands, are seasonally challenged with feed
and water deficiencies, both in quantity and quality. Camels
are pseudo-ruminants, just like the ruminants they regurgitate.
Feeding intake in camels varies due to seasons. During the dry
season camels tend to feed more compared to when the
weather is cold or humid, that is; wet seasons, thus showing a
direct relationship between feeding rate and weather
(temperature).
Camels solely depend on selective feeding, thus there is little
information on a uniform and regular pattern of feeding, and
this is due to a wide variety and parts of forage available, with
different quality.

At 4 or 4½ years of age the animals are first selected for Despite the environmental conditions, camels show great
breeding based on pedigree selection. The females should also adaptation by little or no change in the feed intake,
be culled for defects, such as slow breeding, poor milk yield, digestibility and heat production. Camels can thus survive a
bad mothering and weak offspring. long period of time without food or water. During fasting of

2|Page
camels - keeping camels without food – they are able to
maintain fermentation, body weight and also meet up their
nutritional needs through fermentation products. They develop
digestive and metabolic adjustment in order to suffer less from
the fast. Consumption of more succulent vegetation is taken to
help prevent dehydration during the dry seasons. Other
methods used to maintain water balance includes; maintenance
of appetite, improve digestibility, and declination of metabolic
rate, to conserve energy.
Under certain physiological conditions, camels tend to
increase feed intake, as this helps the animal to maintain the
physiological needs. According to studies carried out in Egypt,
‘Atriplex’ at 30 – 40% and ‘Berseem’ hay, as camel forage at
60% during late pregnancy and post-partum period, it was
observed that there was an increase in milk yield and
composition, reproductive performance and growth of she-
camels and offspring.
Addition of supplements to feed.
Addition of supplements to camel feeds are necessary for the
efficient development of the animal and the requirements is
linked to the seasons at that time. During the optimum grazing
seasons, supplements are required if movement is restricted,
the herd is over-shocked or there is high demand of feed due
to reproductive or physiological states. In the dry season,
supplements are added to rectify deficiencies and imbalance of
nutrients.
Other examples of camel feeds
Egyptian clover hay, ‘Atriplex Halimus’ Rice straw and
mainly succulent desert plants.
Camel Housing and Management Practices.
Camel Housing
The effects of different housing management system on the
behavior, metabolites and hormonal balance in male
dromedaries during rutting season was evaluated. Male
dromedaries that were housed in groups and allowed to walk
around had significantly higher frequencies of ruminating,
standing, walking and sexual related behaviors than those
housed individually or tied.
Movement control had significant effects on blood serum
metabolites and hormone concentrations. Fenced and
exercised male dromedaries had higher (p< 0.5) concentrations
of blood serum transaminases, free radicals, glucose,
cholesterol and testosterone and lower (p < 0.5) concentration
of cortisol and triiodothyronine (T3) than tied male
dromedaries. Animal social interaction is of particular
importance for maintaining physical; psychological and sexual
3|Page
behaviors allowing walking-around exercise for captive
animals improves their metabolic status and decreases captive
stress effects. Housing system that guarantee social interaction
and physical activity are being the most suitable housing
management system in male dromedaries during rutting
season.
Camel Vaccination
Vaccines work by stimulating an immune response in an
animal without causing the disease itself. When healthy
animals are vaccinated, their own immune system responds to
the vaccine and can remember the infectious agent to which
the animal is vaccinated.
We vaccinate animals in order to protect them against
infectious diseases and ensure the provision of healthy and
nutritious food such as eggs, milk and meat products.
Vaccines against Clostridium perfringens types C and D and
C. tetani (CDT) should be considered “core” vaccines for
camelids. Although recommendations vary with regard to time
of first vaccine, these vaccines are typically given twice at 3-
to 6-week intervals in the first year and then boosted annually
after the primary series. It is known that camelids are
susceptible to these pathogens, and several studies have shown
antibody response after two injections
The following recommendations are considered to be a general
recommendation but may not be a complete protocol for the
diseases present on your farm. All vaccine protocols should be
tailored to the needs of your animals and should be made after
consulting with a veterinarian.
We recommend that all llamas, alpacas, and camels be
vaccinated as follows:
3-4 months of age: Clostridium C&D + Tetanus (Initial dose)
4-5 months of age: Clostridium C&D + Tetanus (Booster dose
4-6 weeks after initial)
Annually: Clostridium C&D + Tetanus
Breeding Females: Clostridium C&D + Tetanus (6-8 weeks
prior to due date)
Camel Castration
Castration is the removal or inactivation of the testicles of a
male animal. Castration is a common management tool in
animal sector for many reasons, including to: Stop the
production of male hormones. Prevent unplanned mating.
Castration of llamas and alpacas may be chosen to allow
commingling of pet or fiber producing males and females, to
restrict the available genetic pool, to lessen aggressive
behavior, and to create gelding males to be sold as pets or
show animals.
Reasons for castration of males:
 Control of reproduction
 Prevention of overpopulation
 Prevention of unwanted reproduction
 Control of male behavior
 Reduction of reproductive behavior
 Reduction of aggressive behavior
 Improvement of meat production in food producing
animal species
 Increase in weight gain
 Improvement of carcass quality
 Reduction of unpleasant meat flavor and odor (pig,
goat, sheep)
 Treatment of reproductive diseases
 Benign prostatic hyperplasia (human, canine)
 Prostatic cancer (human, canine)
 Testicular neoplasm
Castration of Camelids: When, Where, Why
We castrate when the male becomes a nuisance, usually
around 12-18 months of age. It is important to do this when
the weather conditions are appropriate. It is best done on days
that aren't hot, cold, wet or windy (usually spring or autumn).
Practicing veterinarians offering service to clients owning
camelids are routinely asked for advice on castration of pet
quality males. Superficially, this might appear to be a simple
question, but there has been significant debate on this issue. At
the center of the debate is a concern for musculoskeletal
maturation of males after prepubertal castration. Breeders
would prefer to castrate males at 4 to 6 months old so that they
may be sold as pets soon after weaning. Veterinarians would
prefer to see camelids castrated at 18 to 24 months after they
have reached skeletal height maturity.
In Females: Spay (neutering females)
Spay is to remove the ovaries of a female animal. Spay is
to remove the ovaries of a female animal. Spaying a llama is
not that common, but it can be done successfully with no
repercussions. A lot of the success may be based on how
experienced your vet may be with the procedure
Niki Kuklenski of JNK Llamas shared had experience
with neutering females and has shared the following
information from her veterinarian:
4|Page
“The following is an overview of the work we did. We
spoke with Dr. Tibary several years ago and formed a protocol
that we followed, and did develop some proficiencies during
that time.
I will have to review our anesthesia; we did use gas but I
do not recall if it was halothane or isoflurane; also I need to
find the pre-sedation used.
Procedure was ventral mid-line, just in front (cranial) to
the udder. We ID'd the uterus, isolated the ovaries and limited
our surgery to an ovariectomy (only ovaries removed, uterus
was not removed). Based on the few that we did, I do not
recall any obvious problems with the surgery, the recovery or
with behavior issues.
Anesthesia, especially with gas is technically challenging.
Over-conditioned animals were also more difficult.
If there is a veterinarian that would like to discuss they
can contact us. It would take us some time to retrieve the
actual records of our surgeries and they also fall under
veterinary-client confidentiality. I will be unavailable for a
couple of weeks, Drs. Schwab and Plotts were the other
teammates in the surgeries we done.”
Camel Produce
Meat
The average weight of camel carcass male and female 400kg
and a range of 250 – 350kg. Castration also aids in the
improvement of weight. Research shows that 50,000 tons of
camel meat is produced in Pakistan, generating an income of
Rs. 250 million. Camel meat is mainly used for festivals in the
Middle East. Camel meat are also exported and there are used
for sausage production. The entire body weight of the camel is
made up of 10% hides and 3% blood of the life weight.
Weight gain daily, on intensive care is approximately
0.58kg/day for a young camel and 1kg/day on open grazing,
thus an increase in feed intake rate results to an increase in
body weight, provided the right conditions are met.
Milk
Dromedary milk has been a stable food source for nomads in
the deserts over the years. With a parturition period of over
240 – 540 days, a well fed dromedary could produce milk of
about 10 – 15 liters per day. A heavy Pakistan breeds can
surprisingly produce up to 35 liters per day. The camel milk
has proven to be more nutritional than cows, because of its
low fat and lactose contents and high minerals such as; Iron,
Potassium and Vitamin C. Camel milk can be drunk fresh. In
Saudi Arabia, camels are usually reared for diary purposes.
Even at low feed they produce milk more than other animals.
A well-fed dromedary produces more milk than exotic cows.
Hides & hair
The hairs of camels are used in rope, bags, carpets and blanket Mastitis was the major disease conditions observed
productions. A camel, according to research, produces 1 – 3kg amongst the female camels in this region. It is mainly
of hair daily. Hides of camels are not of very good quality as treated using ethno veterinary treatment. Camel pox
such they are used for whips and water bags. too was another common case and it

Beast burdens
 Reproductive problems
Camels are used to draw water from wells, mini oil extraction
mills, grinding wheat, corn and sugarcane crushing, plough, High rate of abortion was recorded. Anestrus was the
pulling of cart, transportation purposes; a maximum of 30km second most observed disease and was suspected to
in day, and they can also carry loads of about 30kg through the be due to malnutrition, congenital disorders and
entire 30km.. retained placenta.

Camels are also used for sports and entertainment.  Trypanosomiasis and Ecto-parasites are examples
of parasitic diseases that were observed.

Camels: Diseases, Prevention and Medication  Digestive tract diseases

In southern Rajasthan, twenty-two problems, and all were
The major digestive problems that occurred was
grouped into eight groups namely;
ENTERITIS. This was due to the change of feed
1. Diseases affecting the skin systems of camels. because of climate change or ingestion of parasitic
2. Surgical ailments. infections. Rumen impaction was also observed.
3. Infectious diseases.
4. Reproductive problems.  Snake poisoning and Lantana poisoning are the
5. Parasite diseases. most observed cases of poisoning.
6. Digestive diseases.
7. Locomotive diseases (Musculoskeletal diseases)  Rheumatism was recorded as the most common
locomotive diseases.
 Digestive affecting the skin systems of camels
ZOONOSIS
MANGE
The United States Center for Disease Control and
This disease was observed to be prevalent in the dry Prevention (USCDC) and the Ministry of Health of
seasons, and it’s very contagious and spreads more in Saudi Arabia indicated cases of Human Bubonic
cold conditions due to the huddling of animals. Plaque due to eating of raw liver. All five suspects
Mange is treated with IVERMECTIN were positive, four had pharyngitis and
submandibular lymphadenitis.
Other diseases that affect the skins of camels include;
ringworm, tail gangrene (tying of the tail) Economic Importance of Camel Produce
Composition of camel milk
 Surgical ailments
An opaque white color and has a faint sweetish odor
and sharp taste; sometimes, it can be salty. The
Eye laceration
opaque and white characteristics is due to the finely
homogenized fats throughout the milk. Camel milk
This is mainly seen in the rainy seasons. Signs might
has a density of 1.026 – 1.035 and a pH of 6.2 – 6.5.
include excessive rubbing due to irritation by flies,
The major minerals found in milk are sodium,
ticks, mange and contagious ecthyma – eye injury, all
potassium, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, iron,
these indicates bacterial infection.
zinc, copper, and various vitamins including; A, E, C
and B1. Camel milk also contains a lot of fatty acids;
Other examples under this category are maggot
amongst which we have butyric, caproic, palmitic,
wound, chest pad abscess and soft palate injury.
linoleic and more. Enzymes contained in the milk are
lactate dehydrogenase, aspartate amino transferases,
 Infectious diseases
alanine amino transferases and more. Lysozyme,
Lactoferrin, Lactoperioxidase, and Peptidoglycan
Recognition Protein (PGRP).
5|Page

Composition of camel meat
With a high concentration of potassium, phosphorus,
sodium, magnesium and calcium, amino acids. The
high content of inorganic minerals in the camel meat
makes it better than the beef.
Camel urine
Camel urine is devoid of bad odor and less toxic, due
to the low ammonia content and a pH of about 7.8.
Medicinal Benefits
HEPATITIS C
Lactoferrin belongs to transferrin protein family and
has shown good results against Herpes Simplex Virus
1 and 2 (HSV-1 AND HSV-2). Lactoferrins are
present in camel milk after two weeks of lactation.
Lactoferrin also has antiviral activity against HCV,
antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory and anti-fungal
effects.
DIABETES MELLITUS II
For a very long time, the Middle East people believes
that camel milk cures or efficiently solves the
problem of hyperglycemia. Recent research has
shown that camel milk has small molecules of
insulin-like substances that mimic insulin interaction
with the receptors. These molecules have special
properties that makes absorption into the circulation
easier than insulin from other sources and causes
resistances to proteoglycans.
6|Page
ANTI-CANCER & ANTI-TUMOR ACTION
Camel milk has proved positive towards initiating
apoptosis – natural death of cells. Same as the urine
of these special animals. The urine contains a protein
– canavanine – a by-product of amino acids and urea
metabolism, and it has shown potent activity against
tumor cells.
Camel produces mentioned above are used as
medicines under several other sections, amongst
which we have; allergy treatments, cosmetic and
anti-aging effects, alternative source of milk for
people with lactose intolerance, hyper-rancidity,
pneumonia, and other respiratory good.
Conclusion
Camels are unique creatures, which have efficiently
showed the entire mankind its various benefits.
Camel husbandry is a very important role to be
played by everyone involved the rearing of camels or
those owning a camel. Our findings have thus proved
the positivity of a good camel management system in
order to improve feeding, medical, fashion, and
sporting standards and so as to ease our tasks. Camel
production has also played a great role in the
economic status of several countries, due the
exportation and importation of various camel
produce.
In a nutshell, camel production and management is an
aspect of animal husbandry that requires more
attention from every sources possible and as well it
needs a modernization.
Camel management – the pathway to a better and
safer future.
 REFERENCES
A.M. Hashi, National University Of Somalia Somalia M. Kamoun Ecole Superieure D'agriculture Mateur , Tunisia Clancl Dipartimento Di
Science Anatomiche, Fisiologiche E Delle Produzioni Animali Universita Degli Studi Di Pisa Italy 2011. Feed requirements of the camel.

A.V. Khanvilkar, S. R. Samant and B. N. Ambore 2009. Reproduction in Camel.

Askale Abrhaleya and Samson Leta 2017. Medicinal value of camel milk and meat

Bakht Baidar Khan Arshad Iqbal Muhammad (Department of Livestock Management University of Agriculture Faisalabad) 2003.
Production and Management of Camels

Brahim Hamad, Hebib Aggad, Leyla Hadef and Aicha Adaika 2017. Effect of cold and hot seasons on thermoregulation and hemogram
blood parameters of dromedary camel (Camelus dromedarius) in Algeria

Dr. Abdurrahman Bello Crc DVM PhD (Department of Veterinary Anatomy, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto)

Kibebew Babege, Sale Wandara and Latamo Lameso 2021. Potential of camel production and management Practices in Ethiopia: Review

M.F.A. Farid, A.M. Abdel-Wahed, Safinaz M. Shawket and N.I. Hassan 2013, Diet Selection, Feed Intake Capacity and Performance of
Growing Female Camels: Effects of Type of Roughage and Level of Concentrates Offered

M.N. Telfah, M.I. Siddiqui* and S.A. Taleb 2012. Castration of dromedary camel through pre-scrotal midline incision

Nelson, K. S. , Bwala, D. A. and Nuhu, E. J, 2001. The Dromedary Camel; A Review on the Aspects of History, Physical Description,
Adaptations, Behavior/Lifecycle, Diet, Reproduction, Uses, Genetics and Diseases

Peter Obimbo Lamuka, Francis M. Njeruh, George C. Gitao and Khalif A. Abey 2017.Camel health management and pastoralists’
knowledge and information on zoonoses and food safety risks in Isiolo County, Kenya

Subhash Kachhawah, Khem Chand and B.L. Jangid 2015. HEALTH PROBLEMS AND THEIR MANAGEMENT IN CAMEL HERDS OF
SOUTHERN RAJASTHAN

T.H. Mostafa, A.M. Abd El-Salaam, Mona E. Farag and M.M. Refaei 2010. Effect of Feeding Treatments on Productive and Reproductive
Performance of She-Camels

Yaseen Galali and Hanee M Al-Dmoor 2019 Miraculous Properties of Camel Milk and Perspective of Modern Science

7|Page