Evaluation of teat condition and udder health of dairy dromedary camel's machine milked under intensive Saudi Arabian condition

A total of 10 multiparous dromedary camels under intensive condition in mid stage of lactation were used to evaluate teat condition and udder health under machine milking with high vacuum level during 10 weeks. Ail camels were milked twice a day (06:00 and 16:00) by a portable milking machine with medium milk pipeline and electronic pulsator. The milking machine was set at 50 kPa, 60 pulses/min, and 60:40 pulsation ratio. At the start of experiment ail camels were diagnosed free of mastitis. Individual milk yield was measured during a.m. and p.m. milking using an electronic milk f10w meter (lactocorder®). Front and rear teat length was measured before and after each milking. Teat condition was c1assified for teat texture (soft and firm) by manual palpation and for teat color (normal and red) by visual assessment before and after milking. Milk samples (100 ml) were collected weekly from udder at each milking and analysed for major milk constitutes. Udder health were performed by california mastitis test (CMT) and bacteriology during the experimental period. No subclinical mastitis was detected in any of the udders quarters during the experimental period as indicated by the CMT "1) and bacteriology (coliform=O and total flora=32097±396 ufc/mL) test. On average, daily milk yield (Kg/day) and fal, protein, lactose and total solids contents were 6.25 ± 1.05, 3.87± 0.62; 3.14± 0.45; 4.10 ± 0.65 and 11.10 ± 1.15, respectively. The observed high fat and protein ratio (>1) indicated a complete milk let-down during machine milking. On average, front and rear teat length before milking were 6.3±1 .7 cm and 5.6±1.8 cm, respectively. Teats length increased (P<0.05) by 10.3% and 14.7% after a.m. and p.m. milking, respectively. There was no difference in teat texture or color before and after milking . The percentage ofteats c1assified as soft-normal and firm-normal were 80 and 20%, respectively. ln conclusion, milking camels at 50 kPa and 60 pulsations/min gave satisfactory milk