Tropentag, September 16 - 18, 2015 in Berlin, Germany "Management of land use systems for enhanced food security – conflicts, controversies and resolutions"

Observations on Adaptability and Grazing Behaviour of Camels (Camelus dromedarius) Reared at Different Production Systems in Sudan

¹University of Gezira, Dept. of Genetics and Animal Breeding, Sudan
²University of Khartoum, Dept. of Dairy Production, Sudan
³University of Gezira, Dept. of Basic Science, Sudan
⁴University of Gezira, Dept. of Parasitology, Sudan

Abstract

The adaptability and observations about camel's behaviour during grazing and browsing were observed during wet summer season in two different production systems (traditional nomadic and semi-intensive system) in three states of Sudan (Khartoum, Gezira and Sennar) from July to August 2013. A total number of 3501 of apparently healthy native Arabian camel of different ecotypes (Kenani, Butani and Nefidia) at different ages were used in this study. Camels in the traditional nomadic system were observed to choose plant, while under the semi-intensive system camels were kept in pens and fed concentrates and green fodder. Observations on grazing, standing, and walking time were done with a 12 hours interval during 3 to 9 days. During the wet summer season, the average time spent on grazing, standing, or walking for Nefidia and Butana camels were found to be 9.8 and 10 hours/day, respectively and the rest of day time were ruminating or sleeping. There are significant differences between the semi-intensive system and the traditional nomadic systems in adaptability and grazing behaviour of camels under the nomadic system due to their environmental and anatomical adaptations. The study concluded that the differences in adaptability and observations on grazing behaviour of camels in the different production systems will have an impact on the performance of the camel under different management systems.

Keywords: Adaptability, camels, grazing behaviour, production systems, Sudan

Contact Address: Ibrahim Dowelmadina, University of Gezira, Dept. of Genetics and Animal Breeding, Gezira, Sudan, e-mail: camel2022gmail.com