Assessment of Pastoral Camel Production System in Moyale District, Kenya

Abstract

Data was collected in a survey to assess the Somali and Borana camel production system in Moyale district. The survey focussed on calf, health, nutritional, reproductive and breeding management aspects. The respective percentages of respondents allowing calves access to initial colostrum, attend calvings, splitting herds (home/nomadic), camels manifesting bone eating (an indication of poor minerai nutrition) and owners allowing inbreeding were: 25, 96,57,98 and 69. The home-based camels were more frequently watered. Serving bulls were kept in the herd for an averageof between 4.5 and 7 years. Age at first calving and calving interval reported in the questionnaire were 57.4 ± 12.8 (n=296) and 27.5 ±9.1 (n=528) months respectively. In conclusion, camel production can be greatly improved by use of simple and basic technologies in calf management, camel health care. mineral supplementation and breeding management.