Camels and Camelids

MILK YIELD PERFORMANCE OF DROMEDARIES WITH AN AUTOMATIC BUCKET MILKING MACHINE

Journal Edition: June 2004
Article DOI:
Published On: 01-12-2018 07:17

U. Wernery, J. Juhasz and P. Nagy
Central Veterinary Research Laboratory, P. O. Box 597, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

ABSTRACT

Sixteen U.A.E. dromedaries were milked with an automatic bucket milking machine for twelve months. They produced a total of 21,959.9 kg of milk with a daily milk yield of 4.8 kg each. The milk production followed a typical lactation curve with the highest milk yield during the first months after parturition. Milk production was significantly dependent on how often the camels were milked per day and when milking started after parturition. It seems that camel calves can be removed from the dam without any negative effect on the milk yield.
A herringbone stand is suitable for milking dromedaries. Dromedaries entered the stand effortlessly without any sign of stress or discomfort. The automatic bucket milking machine using 25 mm silicon liners was accepted by all the 16 dromedaries without any problem. Machine stimulation was abandoned because it caused udder oedema and mastitis. Hand stimulation of two to three minutes was well accepted and duration was decreased after the first three months of milking. Milking was performed with a vacuum pressure of 36 - 40 kPa, a pulsation rate of 60:40 with 90 cycles per min.
Key words: Dromedary, milk yield performance, milking machine