Identification of morpho-metric characters

The objective of this work was to contribute to the characterization of the animal genetic resources of local hens raised in the city of Kikwit through the knowledge of their morpho-metric characteristics as well as the determination of the breeding systems in which they evolve.The characterization of forty hens from these farms, a considerable phenotypic diversity was observed in this population, which can be explained by the absence of directional selection, by the diversity of environmental conditions in which these animals live, but perhaps also by the existence of uncontrolled introductions from commercial strains. However, the performance determination of these hens could not be described. Thus, it is important that a series of studies be undertaken on the molecular aspect to fully understand the origin of the diversity displayed by the local Kikwit chicken populations. Monitoring the zootechnical performance in order to specify the different strains would be a real precursor to the implementation of a genetic improvement program that would benefit the local breeders.