Morphological Characteristics of Local Chicken Populations (<i>Gallus </i><i>gallus</i> <i>domesticus</i>) in Farmed Basins of the Far North Region, Cameroon

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.