In a growth trial for 150 days, ten growing camels with average weight 353
Kg and three years old were devided into tow equal groups. Group A (Control) was
fed a concentrate mixture (14% CP) at 2% of live body weight and rice straw ad
libitum. Group B (Treatment) was given the same concentrate mixture at 1% of live
body weight and rice straw supplemented with urea 5% and molasses 10% of dry
matter. The results of this study revealed that feeding growing camels on high
concentrate diet with untreated rice straw detected more daily body gain and high
feeding costs comparing with those fed low concentrate diet with treated rice straw,
being 0.573 vs. 453 g/h/d and 7.49 vs. 5.11 LE/Kg gain. The supplementation of urea
- molasses did not affect roughage intake. The digestibility coefficient of all nutrients
except the ether extract (EE) was slightly higher in group A than in group B. The
nitrogen retention was similar in both group A and B. The total volatile fatty acids
concentration in rumen liqure of group B was significantly higher (p < 0.05) than group
A. Ammonia nitrogen (NH3-N) and pH values were not significantly affected.
Meanwhile, carcass characteristics and economical analysis were determind. Instead
of feeding growing camels on a concentrate mixture (14% CP) at a level of 2% of
body weight with rice straw, it could be advised to fed them on a concentrate mixture
at level of 1% of body weight with rice straw supplemented with urea (5%) and
molasses (10%) without significant reduction in daily body weight gain. This regime
can reduce feeding cost which goes parallel with small farmer state under desert
conditions.