In order to contribute to a better understanding of the biodiversity of local chicken populations, this study focused on the description of the essential qualitative parameters in the phenotypic characterization of local species. Conducted in 6 localities in the Far North Region of Cameroon (Doukoula, Yagoua, Guidiguis, Dziguilao, Maroua 3rd and Méri), a population of 240 local chickens, including 172 hens and 68 cocks were characterized in family farms. The choice of localities was made on the basis of their strong potential local chicken flocks in the region. To this end, each animal was the subject of a qualitative description based on the identification of the sex of the animal, the description of the colorations of the plumage and extremities, and the description of the types of format, plumage and crests. All observations were made with the naked eye and in daylight and then photographed. The main results show that the plumage colors are multiple and dominated by the White-Pied-Black (21.7%) and the Mille-fleur (20.8%); the wattles are dominated by the red (60%) and the pink (35.4%); the tarsi are dominated by the white (43.8%) and the black (32.08%); the white skin (92.5%) dominates over the pink skin (7.5%); the “Smooth-uniform” feather is dominant (97.08%), followed by the smooth-crested type (2.08%) and the fries type (0.82%); the medium size of the chickens is dominant (86.66%), followed by the dwarf size (9.58%) and the large size (3.75%). The results of this study demonstrate that there is a strong phenotypic diversity within the local chicken population. This diversity can serve as a basis for the development of selection, conservation and genetic potential improvement programs based on rational exploitation of the local chicken.
References
[1]
Ayssiwede, S.B., Dieng, A., Houinato, M.R.B., Chrysostome, C.A.A.M., Issay, Hornick, J.L. and Missohou, A. (2011) Elevage des poulets traditionnels ou indigènes au Sénégal et en Afrique Subsaharienne: Etat des lieux et contraintes. Annales de Médecine Vétérinaire, 157, 103-119.
[2]
Ngouonimba, H.J.S., Itoua, O., Paul, M. and Parisse, A. (2019) Aperçu de quelques paramètres qualitatives dans la caractérisation morpho-biométrique des poules locales (Gallus gallus) ou ‘Batéké’ dans les périphéries Nord et Sud de Brazzaville en République du Congo. Journal of Animal & Plant Sciences, 42, 7175-7197. https://doi.org/10.35759/janmplsci.v42-2.1
[3]
Fotsa, J.C., Rognon, X., Tixier-Boichard, M., Coquerelle, G., Poné Kamdem, D., Ngou Ngoupayou, J.D., et al. (2010) Caractérisation phénotypique des populations de poules locales (Gallus gallus) de la zone forestière dense humide à pluviométrie bimodale du Cameroun. Animal Genetic Resources/RessourcesGénétiquesAnimales/RecursosGenéticosAnimales, 46, 49-59. https://doi.org/10.1017/s207863361000069x
[4]
MINEPIA (2021) Annuaire statistiques du sous-secteur l’élevage, des pêches et des industries animales. 67.
[5]
INS (2019) Annuaire statistiques 2028 de la Région de l’Extrême-Nord. 276.
[6]
Larivière, J.M. and Leroy, P. (2008) Conservation et valorisation de la diversité des ressources génétiques du poulet en Europe: Initiatives et perspectives. Annales de Médecine Vétérinaire, 152, 203-220.
[7]
FAO (2013) Caractérisation phénotypique des ressources génétiques animales. Directives FAO sur la Production et la Santé Animales No. 11, 151.
[8]
AU-IBAR (2014) Assessment of Animal Genetic Resources Characterization, Inventory and Monitoring Tools to Guide Revision and Harmonization Processes. Report of the Workshop of the Genetics Project, 52.
[9]
INS (2019) Annuaire statistique du Cameroun. 261.
[10]
Mahammi, F.Z., Gaouar, S.B.S., Tabet-Aoul, N., Tixier-Boichard, M. and Saïdi-Mehtar, N. (2014) Morpho-Biometric Characteristics and Breeding Systems of Local Chickens in the Oranie Region (West Algeria). CahiersAgricultures, 23, 382-392. https://doi.org/10.1684/agr.2014.0722
[11]
Messabhia, A. (2016) Caractérisation phénotypique et profil biochimique de quel-ques souches locales de poules en Algérie. Ph.D. Thesis, Université Frères Mentouri-Constantine 1.
[12]
Roukayath, C.T. (2008) Caractérisation phénotypique et gestion de la population de poulets locaux dans les communes de Dassa et de Toffo au Bénin. Master’s Thesis, Université d’Abomey-Calavi.
[13]
Haoua, M.T., Poutougnigni, M.Y., Keambou, T.C. and Manjeli, Y. (2015) Morphobiometrical Diversity of the Indigenous Chicken’s Population in the Sudano-Sahelian Zone of Cameroon. Scientific Journal of Animal Science, 4, 133-154.
[14]
Bessadok, A., Imen, K. and El Gazzah, M. (2003) Etat des ressources génétiques de la population locale du poulet en Tunisie. Tropicultura, 21, 167-172.
[15]
Sarker, N.R., Hoque, A., Faruque, S., Islam, N. and Bhuiyan, F.H. (2014) An ex Situ Study on Body Characteristics and Effect of Plumage Color on Body Weight of Indigenous Chicken (Gallus domesticus) in Bangladesh. Acta Scientiarum. Animal Sciences, 36, 79-84. https://doi.org/10.4025/actascianimsci.v36i1.20118
[16]
Keambou, T.C., Manjeli, Y., Tchoumboue, J., Teguia, A. and Iroume, R.N. (2007) Ca-ractérisation morpho-biométrique des ressources génétiques de poules locales des hautes terres de l’ouest Cameroun. Livestock Research for Rural Development, 19, Article No. 107. http://www.lrrd.org/lrrd19/8/keam19107.htm
[17]
Moula, N., Luc, D.D., Dang, P.K., Farnir, F., Ton, V.D., Binh, D.V., Leroy, P. and Antoine-Moussiaux, N. (2011) The Ri Chicken Breed and Livelihoods in North Vietnam: Characterisation and Prospects. JournalofAgricultureandRuralDevelopmentintheTropicsandSubtropics, 112, 57-69.
[18]
Bembide, C., Hako Touko, B.A., Manjeli, Y. and Keambou Tiambo, C. (2013) Caractérisation morphobiométrique de la poule locale en Centrafrique. Animal Genetic Resources/RessourcesGénétiquesAnimales/RecursosGenéticosAnimales, 53, 33-44. https://doi.org/10.1017/s2078633612000525
[19]
Mahammi, F.Z. (2015) Caractérisation phénotypique et moléculaire des populations de poules locales (Gallus gallusdomesticus) de l’Ouest Algérien. Master’s Thesis, Université des Sciences et de la Technologie d’Oran.
[20]
Cabarles, J.C., Lambio, A.L., Vega, S.A., Capitan, S.S. and Mendioro, M.S. (2012) Distinct Morphological Features of Traditional Chickens (Gallus gallusdomesticus L.) in Western Visayas, Philippines. Animal Genetic Resources/RessourcesGénétiquesAnimales/RecursosGenéticosAnimales, 51, 73-87. https://doi.org/10.1017/s2078633612000410
[21]
Moula, N., Moussiaux, A.N., Farnir, F., Detilleux, J. and Leroy, P. (2009) Réhabilita-tion socioéconomique d’une poule locale en voie d’extinction: La poule Kabyle (Tha-yazitlekvayel). Annales de médecine vétérinaire, 153, 178-186.
[22]
Duguma, R. (2006) Phenotypic Characterization of Some Indigenous Chicken Eco-types of Ethiopia. LivestockResearchforRuralDevelopment, 18, Article No. 131. http://www.lrrd.org/lrrd18/9/dugu18131.htm
[23]
Dao, B., Kossoga, A., Lombo, Y., Ekoué, S., Talaki, E., Dayo, G.K. and Bonfoh, B. (2015) Caractérisation phénotypique des populations locales de Poulets (Gallus gallusdomesticus) au Togo. Bulletin of animal health and production in Africa, 63, 15-33.
[24]
Moreda, E., Singh, H., Sisaye, T. and Johansson, A.M. (2014) Phenotypic Characterization of Indigenous Chicken Population in South West and South Part of Ethiopia. BritishJournalofPoultrySciences, 3, 15-19.
[25]
Getu, A. and Tadese, A. (2014) A Phenotypic and Genetic Characterized Indigenous Chicken Ecotypes in Ethiopia. International Journal of Applied Science and Engineering, 2, 22-27.
[26]
Fotsa, J.C., Bordas, A., Rognon, X., Tixier-Boichard, M., Poné, K.D. and Manjeli, Y. (2007) Caractérisation des élevages des poules locales et comparaison en station de leurs performances à celles d’une souche commerciale de type label au Cameroun. SeptièmesJournéesdelaRechercheAvicoles, Tours, 28-29 March 2007, 414-417.
[27]
Aklilu, E., Kebede, K., Dessie, T. and Banerjee, A.K. (2013) Phenotypic Characterization of Indigenous Chicken Population in Ethiopia. InternationalJournalofInter-disciplinaryandMultidisciplinaryStudies, 1, 24-32.
