Anyone here groom their camels?

[kjay]

For the past five years I've been grooming about 15 camels (Bactrians and Dromedaries), especially every Spring (when they shed). I'd love to hear about any special tools you've found to make the job a bit easier. I do have grooming brushes and matt cutters, but I'm always on the lookout for something new and easy to use. Thanks in advance.

[ivieacres]

Someone told us they may use a leave rack, also the single blade curry that opens out would be good too.

[camels]

What time of year do they shed out? My camel still has really thick hair, and it's around 80 degrees here. Some of it is still his baby hair, but I figured he'd lose that this summer for sure, considering he'll be 2 this winter.

[kjay]

Thanks for your replies. One time I did use a rake on the bull's hump, but when he's in a good mood, I can groom him up close and all around.

By the way, I'm speaking only of adult camels here. Some camels will starting losing their hair earlier than others. One of the Bactrians started losing her hair a couple of months ago, which seemed a bit early to me. But, generally, they'll start "molting" right around now and even more so as temperatures warm up. Bactrians have thick, thick hair (long, too) and, if not groomed, generally look more unkempt than Dromedaries because the latter have shorter hair and most often not as thick. I am generalizing here because I have seen one Dromedary female with extremely thick hair similar to a tightly woven carpet. She was tough to groom.

Thanks, again.

[3droms]

I have also used a rake (soft plastic leaf rake). I was told to give it a try from an alpaca owner, apparently alpacas love it.

I only did that to get rid of some of the loose hair. Most of the time our camels are a real mess. I would like to create a big sand pit for them to roll in but we are only renting our house.

[Cameleer]

I use an electric leaf blower to clean the sand and dirt from Gobi’s long hair and a slicker brush to brush him out.

Doing a search for slicker brushers on the internet this is what I came up with:
A Slicker Brush has specially shaped stainless steel wire
pins mounted on a rubber cushion to help reduce any excessive brushing
force. The Slicker brushes are designed to be used with a soft stroking
action, enabling the shaped stainless steel pins to ease tangles
and matts and remove loose/dead hairs from the undercoat leaving
the top coat clean and healthy.
The Slicker Brush is suitable for use on dogs, cats, rabbits, guinea
pigs and other small animals.

Roger

[Camelicious]

can you imagine drying them with towels after giving them a weekly bath and providing them even blankets at night.

well we do here in dubai, as we take good care of them, by trimming, bathing, nail cutting etc.

you can say that camels are also humans.

well can anyone tell me whats the max milk yield of a she camel(both types), and any difference in the milk of both types of camels?

and mainly for what purpose do you use camels?

ash.

[kjay]

To say that I am excited about your posting here is an understatement. I must explain: Recently I read about the camel beauty contest outside Abu Dhabi, and through a blog I found on the Internet, I located an American woman who lives in Dubai and asked about the possibility of my attending next year's contest. Because I'll travel most anywhere to ride camels (Mongolia, Egypt, etc), I am always on the lookout for new and interesting places. To learn what constitutes a beautiful camel in the UAE would be wonderful. Is there any info you could give me about possibly attending this contest? If you wish, you can send me a private message. I thought about sending a private message to you, but there may be others here who hanker to attend a camel beauty contest of 10,000 camels.

[kjay]

Camelicious, I forgot to say that bathing a camel once a week would be a dream for me. That is fascinating, and, yes, I agree that the camel is a uniquely special animal. Camels are my passion.

The people I know who have camels here either have them as "pets" or have a number of them for the purpose of breeding. I do know of one camel dairy, too.

[camelsinfrance]

Ahh Abu Dhabi
I lived in the Emirates for 5 years about 15 years ago which is where my love of, and experience of camels first happened when I kissed a wild camel, much to the amazement of his Bedou handler. Been besotted ever since.
Knowing the Emirates as it was such a hit it is bound to be repeated next year, my best advice would be to contact Sheikh Mohammeds office and ask them - knowing them... they won't have set a date yet though

[kjay]

camelsinfrance, thanks so much for answering my posting. I will follow your suggestion. Your experiences in the UAE sound fascinating!