Concentrate supplementation during dry season enhance milk yield and quality on dromedary camel in peri urban area of Isiolo, Kenya

Abstract

Camel milk contributes 50 % of nutrients among the desert locals in Kenya. However, frequent droughts due to climate change is the major factor affecting milk production in dromedary camels. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of concentrates supplementation on camel milk yield and quality during dry season. A feed supplement containing 17.04 % crude protein and 2864.62 Kcal/kg digestible energy was formulated using wheat bran, sorghum grain, sunflower meal and maize germ. A feeding trial was conducted with four dietary treatments i.e. ad libitum fodder browsing without concentrate supplementation (treatment 1-control) and ad libitum fodder browsing plus 1 kg, 1.5 kg and 2 kg concentrate for treatment 2, 3 and 4 respectively. A 4 × 4 Latin square design was used with eight lactating dromedary camels for 56 days and were supplemented every evening. Milking was done in the morning and milk yield recorded. Body weight and milk samples were taken fortnightly. Milk samples were analyzed for constituents and fatty acid composition. Supplementation slightly increased the protein, fat content and milk yield over the experimental period. Milk protein content for treatment 2 and 4 were similar (2.82 %). Adding 2 kg of concentrate displayed higher milk fat content (3.51 %). Total saturated fatty acids in milk were higher (68.13 %) in treatment 2. Unsaturated fatty acids remained relatively constant under all the treatments (29.9 %). Milk proximate and fatty acid profile indicated stable milk composition and supplementation increased yield. Therefore, supplementing lactating camels during dry season increase milk production.