Livestock Farming in the UAE: Camels, Goats, Sheep and Practical Tips
Livestock farming in the UAE centres on camels, goats and sheep raised in heat on imported feed. A practical guide to breeds, feed, seasons and records.
Livestock farming in the UAE revolves around camels, goats and sheep kept in a hot desert climate, mostly on purchased and imported feed, on family farms (ezbas) and a smaller number of commercial operations. Camels hold a special place for heritage, racing, beauty contests and milk, while goats and sheep serve family consumption and the Eid and Ramadan markets. Success depends on heat management, feed cost control and good records, especially when the owner is not on the farm every day.
The UAE combines a strong pastoral heritage with a modern economy. Many livestock owners have another profession and run their farm through hired workers, which makes clear routines and reliable records just as important as good animals. This guide covers what a breeder in the Emirates needs to know in practice.
Climate and farm conditions
The UAE has a hot desert climate: a long, very hot summer, high humidity along the coast, milder winters, and the mountains in the east with somewhat different conditions. Rainfall is low and irregular, so natural grazing is limited and most animals are fed in pens.
What this means for your farm:
- Shade, airflow and cooling are critical in summer, especially in humid coastal areas where heat stress is worse. Fans and misting systems are common on commercial farms.
- Water must be clean, cool and always available; check troughs several times a day in summer.
- Breeding is affected by heat; many breeders aim for births in the cooler months.
- Hygiene matters more in heat and humidity: flies, parasites and spoiled feed are bigger risks.
The main species and breeds
| Species | Common types | Main uses |
|---|---|---|
| Camels | Local breeds and types such as Majaheem, Maghateer and others | Heritage, racing, beauty contests, milk, meat |
| Goats | Local goats, Ardi, and imported breeds | Meat, family consumption, Eid |
| Sheep | Najdi, Naimi and imported types | Meat, Eid and Ramadan demand |
Camels are central to the UAE's identity. Beauty contests and racing have created a market where pedigree and documented history add real value, and commercial camel dairies have developed alongside traditional herds. For more on breeds, read camel breeds: Majaheem and Maghateer, and for goats, Gulf goat breeds: Ardi and Shami.
Feed and costs
With limited grazing and little local fodder, most farms buy their feed: hay, barley and commercial concentrates, much of it imported. Feed is therefore the biggest cost on most farms, and prices move with world markets and shipping costs.
Practical steps to control it:
- Feed by group, not by habit. Pregnant and milking females, growing young stock and fattening animals have different needs from dry adults.
- Keep roughage as the base of every ration for ruminants and camels.
- Track stock in kilograms. Know what came in, what was used and what is left, so you notice waste or theft early.
- Check feeders and storage. Heat and humidity spoil feed; mouldy feed is a health risk.
- Calculate cost per head at least monthly so you know whether each group pays its way.
Seasons, markets and health
Demand follows the religious and social calendar:
- Eid al-Adha is the peak season for sheep and goats, with local animals competing alongside large numbers of imported livestock.
- Ramadan raises demand for meat for family and community meals.
- Winter brings camel festivals, beauty contests and racing seasons, as well as weddings and gatherings.
To make the most of these:
- Plan breeding backwards from your target sale period, remembering that Eid moves about 11 days earlier each year.
- Prepare animals months ahead, with finishing and vaccinations completed and withdrawal periods respected before sale.
- Set prices from your real cost per head, not from market rumours.
Health: follow the vaccination schedule set by your vet and the UAE's veterinary authorities. Isolate new or returning animals before they join the herd, control ticks and internal parasites under veterinary supervision, and record every treatment. For camels kept for milk, write down the withdrawal period after any medicine, because milk is often consumed fresh.
Running an ezba or farm with records
Many UAE farms share the same situation: the owner visits a few times a week, and workers run daily feeding, watering and cleaning. Without a shared record, problems are discovered late: a sick animal, a missed vaccination, feed running out, an animal that gave birth with no one noting the date.
A practical system:
- Every animal identified with a number and tag colour, plus breed, sex, birth date, mother and father, and a photo. For valuable camels, the photo and pedigree are part of the animal's value.
- Daily tasks for workers: feeding, water, inspections, with a short daily report.
- Health and breeding events recorded with reminders for the next vaccination, pregnancy check or expected birth.
- Money in one place: expenses and sales, cost per head and net profit.
Throf is built for exactly this: animal records with RFID support, breeding and birth tracking (including the longer gestation of camels), vaccinations and treatments with alerts, meals, feed stock, water and milk records, worker tasks and permissions, and a daily work sheet you can check from your phone or the web app. If you also run a camel dairy, read the camel milk farm guide.
The bottom line
Livestock farming in the UAE succeeds when you protect animals from heat and humidity, keep feed costs under control, plan breeding around Eid, Ramadan and the winter season, and run the farm on shared records rather than memory. That matters most of all when the owner manages through workers and cannot be on site every day.
FAQ
What livestock is most common in the UAE?
Camels, goats and sheep. Camels are important for heritage, racing, beauty contests and milk, while goats and sheep mainly supply meat for families and the Eid and Ramadan markets.
Is livestock farming profitable in the UAE?
It can be, but feed is mostly purchased and often imported, so profit depends on controlling feed costs, reducing losses and timing sales around peak seasons.
How do I protect animals from summer heat in the UAE?
Provide good shade and airflow, cool clean water at all times, and consider fans or misting in humid areas. Feed during cooler hours and avoid handling animals in the midday heat.
How can I manage my farm when I am not there every day?
Give workers clear daily tasks, have them record feeding, health events and births, and review a daily report and alerts on your phone so problems are caught early.
General guidance only — it does not replace your veterinarian or the competent authority in your country.
