Productive and Reproductive Characterization, Breeding Season and Calving Season in Reference with the Effect of Parity Order on Milk Production of Camel in Egypt

Abstract

This study aimed to characterize productive and reproductive performances, breeding season, and calving season of Maghrabi camels in reference with the effect of parity order on milk production in Egypt. Data were collected from camel herd raised at the Studies and Development of Camel Production Station, Animal Production Research Institute, Egypt. Means of parity order, age at 1st mating (year), number of services/conception, age at 1st calving (year), gestation period (d), days open, calving interval (d), sex ratio, and calf weight (kg) were  3.33, 7.68, 2.27, 8.71, 379.6, 169.1, 548.7, 35.6: 65.4, and 29.08, respectively. Means of total (TMY) and daily milk (DMY) yields were 1559 and 4.69 kg, respectively. Lactation (LP) and dry (DP) periods were 364.40 and 184.20 d, respectively. Breeding season lasted from November to Apile, while out of season lasted from May to October. Calving rates were during the interval from January to April with a peak in july. Average TMY increased (P<0.05) by avancing parity, being the lowest at the 1st parity and the highest at the 10th one. LP ranged between 348.2±34.17 d at the 6th parity and 423.6±34.87 d at the 7th parity, while DMY ranged between 4.05±0.156 kg at the 1st parity and 5.15±0.401 kg at the 6th parity, but the differences were not significant.In conclusion, the obtained information on Maghrabian camels raised in Egypt may be useful in different genetic breeding programs and optimal managerial applications for camel herds to increase their productive and reproductive performance in Egypt.