Camel is an important domestic animal that is well adapted to extremely harsh environments. Due to its multi-purpose role, the camel is gaining importance, particularly as a meat producer. Body weights at different ages and growth curves have been extensively studied in several livestock species. However, the information on the camel is very limited. We investigate patterns of variation in birth weight and weaning weight of two prominent breeds of camels in Pakistan, namely Marecha and Lassi. A further objective is not only to develop growth models which will account for systematic differences due to breed and sex but also to allow for individual variation in growth, by the application of appropriate statistical models. Birth weight, weaning, and monthly weights for a period of up to 48 months were recorded for each camel. Growth records of 137 camels consisting of 108 Marecha and 29 Lassi were obtained. Differences were detected between the two breeds, Marecha and Lassi, as well as differences between sexes, but only after 2 years of age. Beyond that, female Marecha camels had slower growth than males, whereas Lassi (mostly females) had faster growth than female Marechas. In addition, there is a sizable variation between individuals within the same breed-sex combination. The results of the present study will be of use to explore the potential of the camel as a meat producer in Pakistan.

骆驼是一种重要的家畜，非常适应极端恶劣的环境。由于其多功能性，骆驼正变得越来越重要，特别是作为肉类生产者。不同年龄的体重和生长曲线已在几种家畜中得到了广泛的研究。但是，关于骆驼的信息非常有限。我们调查了两种最著名的骆驼，即马雷查和拉西，在出生体重和断奶体重上的变异模式。进一步的目标不仅是开发生长模型，该模型将解释由于品种和性别造成的系统差异，而且还可以通过应用适当的统计模型来考虑生长的个体差异。记录每个骆驼的出生​​体重，断奶体重和最长48个月的月体重。获得了由108个Marecha和29个Lassi组成的137头骆驼的生​​长记录。仅在2岁以后才检测到Marecha和Lassi这两个品种之间的差异以及性别之间的差异。除此之外，雌性Marecha骆驼的生长速度慢于雄性，而Lassi（主要是雌性）的生长速度快于雌性Marechas。此外，同一品种-性别组合中的个体之间存在相当大的差异。本研究的结果将用于探索骆驼作为巴基斯坦肉类生产国的潜力。而拉西（主要是女性）的成长速度快于女性马拉切斯（Marechas）。另外，同一品种-性别组合中的个体之间存在相当大的差异。本研究的结果将用于探索骆驼作为巴基斯坦肉类生产国的潜力。而拉西（主要是女性）的成长速度快于女性马拉切斯。另外，同一品种-性别组合中的个体之间存在相当大的差异。本研究的结果将用于探索骆驼作为巴基斯坦肉类生产国的潜力。