Résumé:
Field surveys were conducted with four rural families in the Mostaganem wilaya for the
phenotypic characterization of the local hen. A total of 52 chickens (16 males and 36 females)
were thoroughly observed and measured.
The frequencies of animals carrying certain mutations such as crested and bare-necked
animals and were present in the local chicken population studied with percentages of 26.92%;
0%; 1.92% and respectively. Chickens are raised in poor conditions and their productivity is
high. The body measurements considered (weight, length of the legs, length of the body,
envergures) show a pronounced sexual dimorphism in favor of the males. not only for live
weight (2.28kg vs 1.84kg).
But also for other conformation parameters however a significant difference was found
between the two sexes with regard to the Chest Toure, the body length. This study should be
supplemented by a genetic and molecular characterization and the association of phenotypic
and genetic information and the improvement of breeding conditions can help the farms to
follow in this technique of poultry farming.
