Résumé:
The use of industrial hen populations characterised by their high production potential has led to the neglect of local breeds or populations which represent a very important source of genetic traits (adaptation to difficult climates, low dietary requirements and resistance to disease).
Surveys were carried out in 30 farms spread over the 3 communes of the wilaya of Mostaganem ( O/Maallah , Sidi Ali , SidiLakhdar), , in order to characterise the local chicken populations and their breeding methods. These surveys focused on the characteristics of the farms (socio-economic status of the breeder, breeding method, different colours of the local breed and destination of the breeding products) and on the phenotypic description of 334 local hens. The results show that women are the main managers of the poultry farms and that they use the modest income from this type of operation to meet certain domestic expenses. Hens are kept in poor conditions and their productivity is low
Epidemics and predation are the main constraints faced by local poultry farmers in addition to the lack of support from state services.
