Seasonal Variations of Intake in Male Camels on Sahara Range-Lands of Algeria
2023
Kaouthar Lakhdari | Tarek Boussaada | Salha Amira Benatallah
The goal of this study was to determine the seasonal and age effects on male camels’ intake. Over the two seasons (wet and dry season), follow-ups were conducted at El Alia Rangelands (southeast of Algeria). Eight males were selected to measure bite counts and dry matter intake (DMI) per season; they were distributed into two groups, adult males (AM) and young males (YM). The results showed that there was a significant difference (<i>p</i> < 0.05) in the number of bites according to the season and the age categories, with a maximum average of 80.33 ± 18.206 for AM in the dry season and a minimum average of 15.50 ± 9.955 for YM in the wet season. During the wet season, <i>Traganum nudatum</i> had the highest dry matter intake (DMI), with 2.01 kg DM for AM and 0.28 kg DM for YM, while <i>Salsola longifolia</i> and <i>Salsola tetragona</i> had the lowest, with 0.38 and 0.39 kg DM, respectively, during the dry season in YM. <i>Limoniastrum guyonianum</i> exhibited high amounts of dry matter intake (DMI) in the dry season, with 1.10 and 0.22 kg DM in AM and YM, respectively, but significantly decreased in AM and YM during the wet season (0.03 and 0.02 kg DM respectively). The season influences the feed intake of male camels, of course.
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