Buying Your First Camel

By: Gil Riegler, Oasis Camel Dairy

I know that when I bought my first camels I had a lot of questions. Luckily I also had a support group of knowledgeable people that were willing to help me. I hope that this article will help you in the same way, by answering some of your questions.

Buying your first camel

Is a camel right for you?

Zoning -make sure that your land zoning allows camels.
Climate- for very cold areas it is probably best to invest in a Bactrian camel.
Terrain- camels need flat level ground and do not do good on rocky, uneven, or sloping terrain.
Life span- Camels live at least thirty years and have reportedly reached the ripe old age of fifty. Make sure that this is a commitment that you are ready for.

Finding your camel

When to look? - Camels are usually born in the winter. If you are looking to buy a young camel this is a good time to find out what is available (who has pregnant camels) and put down a deposit.

Older camel VS young camel- Of course it is less expensive to buy a young camel. But, young camels are NOT easier to train. Camels fully mature by the age of six. If you want a camel that will be more consistent, relaxed and easier to work with buy an adult camel!

Buying your camel

Contract-Whenever large sums of money are exchanged it is important to have a contract. The contract shows that money has or is expected to change hands. It clearly states what the expectations are on behalf of the buyer and seller. Make sure to take the time to be very clear when writing it. If you didn't write it, make sure you read the contract thoroughly before you sign it.

Documents- Health Certificate, Tuberculosis and Brucelosis test results. These documents and medical tests are required by some states. Even though California requires only a Health Certificate I ALWAYS get the other tests done as well.

Meeting the owner and camel

Ask questions- you want to know as much about the camel as you possibly can before you commit to buying it.

What is its history? Who owned it, for how long, is there any lineage documentation?
Have the owners kept records of vet work?
Is it on a worming regiment?
Has it had any problems in the past?
Why are they selling it?
What is it trained to do?
Is there a selenium deficiency in the area, if so, have the owners given the camel a selenium supplement?

The more you ask, the more you will know! Don’t be shy, know as much as possible before money changes hands.

OBSERVE as much as you can. Have the seller take the camel out for a walk.

Does the camel have a fluid gate or is it sluggish?
Are the eyes bright and relaxed?
Does he look cautious, nervous or scared?
Is he easy to handle?
How does he react to strangers?
If he cushes observe and see if he does so easily or does he seem to be having problems.
What condition is the camel’s coat in?
Check the camels skin for bumps or cysts.
Watch the camel eat. Does it have a good appetite?
You may think that this is weird, but I ALWAYS check the droppings. They should be slightly moist with a dark green shade. They will smell a little sour but not putrid.

Taking your camel home

Payment- Most sellers will appreciate a money order or cash rather than a check. When you pay for the camel make sure to pay for a few extra bails of hay as well. You will need to acclimate your camel to your hay over a period of two weeks.

When to bring your camel home- Make sure the camel doesn’t experience extreme climate changes. For example a camel raised in the desert should not be moved to Ohio in the dead of winter.

Insurance- you might consider insuring such a valuable animal before it is hauled. Especially if someone else is hauling it for you.

Hauling- every action should be taken to make sure that the camel is comfortable and safe during transportation. The trailer should be tall enough to allow at least a foot of clearance between the camel’s hump and the roof. The camel should be able to turn easily within the trailer. Since camels usually cush while in transport, the floor should be padded. I put down a regular rubber horse trailer pad and cover it with a foot of straw mixed with pine sahvings.

Make sure that there aren’t any objects that can move around or poke the camel while in route. Double-check your hitch. Make sure all the doors are securely latched. Make sure your brakes and lights are working. When driving, accelerate and brake slowly. Take corners slowly, even if it means that traffic will have to wait for you.

Plan your return route ahead of time. I go out of my way in order to use smoother roads. Even though camels travel well I always try to have them in the trailer as little time as possible. Once you have loaded the camels waste no time in getting them home.

Preparing the camel’s new home in advance - You want to have everything in place before the camel arrives. This includes -paddock, shelter, fencing, salt block, water, and hay. Make sure that there are no sharp objects in the paddock for the camel to hurt or catch itself on!

Companionship for your camel- camels are very social and demand a lot of attention. It is important to have friends for your camel. A Llama, Donkey or even a sheep will do.

Veterinary care- Find a vet willing to care for your camel. Doing this in advance will give the vet time to prepare for this new patient.Give your vet all the information you have gathered on camel husbandry. It is not a bad idea to buy a copy of a good camel treatment book and hand it to your vet.

Transitioning

Camels are very sensitive, it is important to provide them with a smooth transition. It is best to put the camel in its new paddock during the daytime so it can become familiar with it before dark. Watch the camel closely for the first few days, problems and dangers will show up quickly.

Food - It takes camels at least two weeks to get used to a new type of hay or a similar type grown in a different area. During this period Make sure to feed some of the hay you purchased from the seller in combination with your own hay.

If you have any questions or comments please feel free to email me at info@cameldairy.com.

Good luck!

Gil Riegler