Al Ain Dairy builds calming milking parlours
Posted by Zawya
Gulf News
Thursday, Jul 15, 2010


Camels refuse to yield milk when confronted with bright colours

Dubai In efforts to provide the most relaxing environment for their camels, Al Ain Dairy is building four new milking parlours to house 48 animals by the end of 2010.

Stoic and drooling, these long-lashed creatures are nevertheless “sensitive” and their feelings must be considered during milking.

“They have character, lots of it. People think it’s a very dumb, stupid animal. But no, absolutely, that’s a misconception,” said Al Ain Chief Operating Officer Shashi Menon.

Just short of providing pedicures, the milking parlour is designed to calm the camels. They are fed during milking, unlike cows, and their calves propelled next to them so the mothers can release milk, said Hamad Zabousi, camel farm manager at Al Ain Dairy.

Far from being a cold clinical process, the mother is encouraged to lick the calf to stimulate the milk hormone oxytocin, he said.

Camels refuse to yield milk when confronted with bright colours, Menon added. Loud noises and unfamiliar faces have to be avoided during milking.

“We just let them deal with people they are comfortable with,” he said.

Camels are tied, milked with vacuum machines, and the milk collected in sterile containers, added Zabousi.

taking it easy

By Deena Kamel Yousef?Staff Reporter

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