Reproductive performance and survival of young one-humped camels on Kenya commercial ranches

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Abstract
Data are provided from four Kenya ranches relating to seasonality of breeding, age at first parturition, parturition interval, sex ratio, gestation period and the early survival of young in one-humped camels. A total of 799 births was recorded. Births occurred throughout the year with no marked peak, there being no significant correlation of conception with rainfall. Age at first parturition (no. = 37) was 54·3 months. Parturition interval (no. = 460) was 20·2 months and was significantly affected by the random effects of the dam as well as by the fixed effects of the herd and the survival of the previous young. The sex ratio at birth was 1·06 males to 1·00 female. Gestation period was 377·1 days, and was not significantly affected by any of herd, month of conception, sex of young or age of animal. Abortions amounted to 11·6% of all births with the total of pre-weaning losses (including abortions) being 25·7%. Improving familiarity of the owners with the animals and better management could lead to considerable increases in performance.

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