Modern trends in camelid nutrition

Natalia Nikitina

Bakalářská práce

Abstract:

In present study I attempted to summarize by literature review the available scientific information about nutrition and feeding camelids (Camelidae) and also compared the different requirements of each species for nutrients and considering the location and method of farming. Camelids are extremely valuable animals in the desert zone, semi deserts and dry steppes. In recent years, the use of camelids as productive animals is becoming increasingly important. Camels and lamas are indispensable workforce capability for transport of people and things. Their importance is evident in many sectors and activities in urban and rural areas. Camels and lamas are good source of food as their meat and milk contains a lot of nutrients. They also provide materials suitable for further processing and utilization such as skin, wool and fiber. Last but not least they represent an essential part of local traditions and culture. Despite all these facts, there is only a limited amount of materials focused on husbandry of camelids. Especially the feeding and nutrition, which had the greatest impact on productivity. Nevertheless, camelids is adapted to the harsh conditions, to maintain the necessary working qualities, quick set of live weight and good productivity, camelids require regular full fledged feeding. Although they have lower energy requirements than true ruminants and could efficiently digest low quality roughages bеcause of the wide range of ruminal micrоflora. Nutritional requirements vary according to the season, type of content and sex of animal. It was proved that mineral content contributes to increase digestibility of nutrients. In conditions of free grazing of lamas and camels, the addition of vitamins and special mineral complexes to the diet is not required, but when animals are kept without free grazing, it is necessary to supplement mineral complexes for animals. Unlike camels, lamas are not able to lick. As a natural source of salts and trace elements, dry algae can be offered to lamas.

Keywords

camel, mineral complexes, alpaca, feeding, llama, nutrient requirements

Jazyk práce: angličtina

Datum vytvoření / odevzdání či podání práce: 19. 4. 2018

Obhajoba závěrečné práce

• Vedoucí: Ing. Tamara Fedorova, Ph.D.

Česká zemědělská univerzita v Praze

Fakulta tropického zemědělství

Bakalářský studijní program / obor:
Zemědělská specializace / Zemědělství tropů a subtropů