Zootechnical and Morphological Characteristics of Indigenous Chicken Populations of Koundoul Areas

Abstract

Background and Objective: In rural areas, local chicken production is very important as the first source of animal protein and a good source of income. This study aimed to identify the zootechnical and phenotypic characteristics of local chickens in Koundoul area. Materials and Methods: A total of 100 households participated in the interview and 400 indigenous chickens were inventoried. Characteristics of farmers such as sex, matrimonial situation, level of study and the principal activities of the survey, the management of the flock, the main constraints, the characteristics of the plumages and the color of the eyes, tarsus, the color and the shape of the beak barbell and the crest were the main focus of the data collection. Results: Results indicated that chicken farming was largely practiced by men and illiterates. This findings revealed that the majority of respondents are married. The average chicken puberty age was 22 ±0.02 weeks, with 12.43±0.41eggs laid per clutch, with 51.55±0.69 eggs per year and 3.05±0.8 clutches per hen per year. The hatchability of eggs from indigenous chicken was 66.66%. Indigenous chickens of the Koundoul area had a black plumage color, orange-red eye color and black beak but the tarsus colors were gray. However, the barbel and crest were pink. The form of the barbel was round and the crest form was simple. Disease, predators and theft were the main constraints faced by local chicken breeding. Conclusion: Although, the performance of domestic chickens in Koundoul area is low, they have a qualitative trait diversity.