Omani camel calves in a traditional management system

Abstract

The Omani camel is a distinguished and multipurpose animal in the Gulf region, recently in great demand for its excellent racing qualities. The camel population in Oman was 98,500 head in 1994, with an annual growth rate of 3.7%. The current investigation was conducted in the period 1992-1997. Breeding occurred during winter (November-March). Among 364 mature females, 20 were bred annually. Each year 12 calves were born on average (60% birth rate). The average conception rate was 4.5 indicating a serious defect in the traditional management breeding system. Most of the calves (71.6%) were born from dams in the age group 11-20 years. Younger animals of breeding age were used for riding or racing. The ratio of female to male calves was 1.14:1. In 53 recorded pregnancies the average gestation length was 384.2 days (12.6 months). The annual calf mortality rate was 2.66%. All calf mortality occurred during the first postpartum month and the causes included drenching pneumonia, calf scour and starvation. The traditional management system did not adequately prepare the dams for nursing in the postpartum period. Three camels delivered twice with calving intervals of 3.3, 2.87 and 2.6 years. Seven breeding bulls were kept separately from the females. During these five years 273 services were conducted resulting in 60 born calves. Two of the bulls served 59 times each, and each one gave 11 conceptions. The reproductive management did not allow for male and/or female fertility evaluation.