Milking technique and other factors affecting milk production potential in different breeds of camels under farm conditions

Daily milk production in 4 lactating camels each of Bikaneri and Kachchhi breed belonging to second and third parities and 3 lactating camels of Jaisalmeri breed from third parity was studied. The daily milk production was recorded twice a day at 12-hr interval by 3 different milking techniques, viz. 2-teat stripping and allowing calf to suckle simultaneously, 4-teat stripping, and machine milking. The average daily productions by 2-teat and 4-teat stripping, and machine milking in Bikaneri camels were 4.19±0.11, 3.2±0.15 and 2.66±0.16kg/day respectively. The corresponding figures in Jaisalmeri were 3.72± 0.17, 2.17±0.16 and 2.02±0.19 kg/day, respectively. The average daily productions in Kachchhi camels with 4-teat stripping and machine milking was 3.94±0.13 and 3.42±0.14 kg respectively. The morning, evening and total daily production per day were higher under 2-teat stripping followed by 4-teat stripping and machine milking. The contribution of breed and parity was significant (P<0.01) under all the 3 milking techniques. The daily milk production with 2-teat stripping varied from 2.37±0.27 to 6.73±0.27 kg/day, with 4-teat from 0.66±0.26 to 5. 15±0.25 kg/day and with machine 1.45±0.23 to 5.22±0.04 kg/day. The daily milk production was highest during month 6 of lactation and then it started declining. The month-wise daily average of second parity females varied from 1.61±0.31 to 4.64±0.31 kg/day and for third parity from 2.13±0.25 to 5.86±0.25 kg respectively. The contribution of parity on month of lactation was significant (P<0.1). As compared to evening, the morning milk yield was about 10.0 to 27.0% higher during different months of lactation. The chemical composition of milk during early and late phases of lactation indicated that pH, fat %, SNF and total solids were significantly higher during late phase of lactation. However, the proteins were also higher but not at significance level. Vitamin C was higher at early phase of lactation.