Table 1 Productive parameters and herders’ response (N = 200) from the study area

Herd composition

70% herders have 2–3 adult animals and 2–3 calves

30% herders have 4–5 adult animals and 2–3 calves

Sex ratio

1–2 males and 2–3 females

Mean age of animals

15 years for she-camels, males were sold at an earlier age or at the age of 8 at the Religious Holy festival (Eid-ul-Adha)

Physiological status

80% females were with progeny, 90% of them were in the lactation stage of 6–18 months, 70% had given birth on average of four times

Birth weight

36–50 and 33–39 kg in male and female calves of Marecha, 34–48 and 32–38 kg in male and female calves of Barela

Milk yield

4–8 kg in Marecha and 5–9 kg in Barela

Housing conditions

35% of the camels were reared in completely open housing systems while 65% were in semi-open system

Feeding regimes

8–10 h grazing, fed with crop straws and household wastes

Watering regimes

2–3 times per day

General management practices

20% calves fed with colostrum immediately after birth, restricted suckling with two teats from the right side was performed in 90% calves, weaning age was found as 12–16 months in 70% cases, deworming was performed in 25% calves, mortality rate was 20%