Camel Breeding and Calving: Season, Pregnancy and Birth Guide

Camels breed mainly in the cooler months, when bulls come into rut. Females are usually first mated at about 3-4 years and calve for the first time at about 4-5 years. Gestation lasts about 390 days (12-13 months), so a she-camel typically calves about every two years. Good breeding management means planned matings, confirmed pregnancies, a watched calving and a calf that suckles colostrum quickly.

Camel reproduction is slow compared with sheep and goats, which makes every pregnancy valuable. A she-camel that fails to conceive in one season may lose a whole year of production. That is why careful planning and records matter more in camels than in almost any other livestock.

When camels breed: age, season and the bull's rut

Age. Young females are often ready for their first mating at about 3-4 years, depending on breed, feeding and body condition. Mating a female that is too young or too thin increases the risk of a difficult calving and poor growth. Bulls are usually used for breeding from a few years older, once they are mature and in good condition.

Season. In Arabia and much of North Africa, the main breeding season falls in the cooler part of the year, roughly from late autumn to spring, with local variations. Feed availability matters too: females in good condition come into breeding activity more readily.

The bull's rut. During rut, the bull becomes restless and aggressive, eats less, grunts, foams at the mouth and pushes out the soft palate from the side of the mouth as a pink bladder (the shaqshaqa). He also releases a strong-smelling secretion from glands behind the head. Bulls in rut can be dangerous to people and other bulls, so keep them separate, handle them with experienced staff only, and never leave children near them.

Camels are induced ovulators: the female usually ovulates in response to mating rather than on a fixed cycle. In practice, this means the timing of mating and the presence of a fertile bull are central.

Mating and confirming pregnancy

Most herds use natural mating, either with a bull running with a group of females during the season or with hand mating, where a chosen female is brought to the bull. Hand mating makes it easier to know the exact date and the father.

To keep good results:

• Choose the bull for health, conformation, temperament and the performance of his relatives (milk, growth, racing or show qualities, depending on your aim).
• Avoid close relatives: do not mate a bull with his daughters or sisters. Keep mother and father recorded for every calf.
• Record the mating date for each female; it is the base for calculating the expected calving date.
• Watch for the tail sign: a pregnant female often raises her tail and refuses the bull when he approaches. This is a useful sign, but not proof.
• Confirm with the vet: pregnancy diagnosis by a vet (for example by ultrasound or rectal examination) is more reliable and helps you re-mate non-pregnant females in the same season.

The camel breeding calendar at a glance

Because the timeline is long, a mistake at any stage costs a lot. Our general guide to gestation in sheep, goats and camels compares the three species.

Calving: signs, normal birth and when to call the vet

Signs that calving is near:

• The udder fills and teats become firm.
• The vulva swells and becomes loose; there may be a clear discharge.
• The she-camel becomes restless, separates from the herd, lies down and gets up often.
• She looks back at her flank and may stop eating.

A normal calving. The she-camel often calves lying down (couched) or sometimes standing. The water bag appears, followed by the front feet with the soles down and the head resting on them. Once the front legs and head are out, the rest usually follows without long delay. The calf then tries to stand and look for the udder. The placenta is usually passed some hours later.

Call the vet if:

• Strong straining continues for a long time without progress.
• Only the head, only one leg, the tail, or the feet with soles up appear.
• The she-camel is weak, bleeding heavily or stops straining before the calf is out.
• The placenta is not passed within the time your vet considers normal.

Do not pull hard or try to correct a wrong position without experience; both mother and calf can be injured.

After calving: the calf and the mother

The first hours decide a lot:

1. Colostrum: make sure the calf suckles within the first hours. A weak calf may need help to reach the udder.
2. Navel: keep the area clean and follow your vet's advice on navel care.
3. Bonding: leave mother and calf quietly together; disturbance can lead to rejection.
4. Check the mother: appetite, udder, discharge and whether she lets the calf suckle.
5. Shelter: protect the calf from extreme heat, cold wind and flies.

From here, the calf's first year has its own needs, covered in our guide to camel calf care in the first year. The next mating usually comes in the following breeding season, when the mother has recovered her condition; your vet and the herd plan decide the right time.

Managing camel breeding with Throf

In Throf, each she-camel's record holds her number and colour tag, breed, birth date, mother and father. You record the mating date and bull, and the production stages follow her through pregnancy, close to birth and birth. Reminders tell you when calving is expected, so she can be moved to the calving area in time. At calving, you record the calf with its mother and father, sex and weight, which builds the pedigree you need to avoid inbreeding. Over the years, the records show each female's age at first calving, calving interval and calves raised, which are the numbers that decide who stays in the herd.