Abstract

The laying performances and the egg quality characteristics of hens of different genotypes were studied, namely:  the; local hens of savannah ecotype (Es) , the local hens of forest ecotype (Ef), the Label Rouge (Lr or T55xSA51) and its crossbred products with local ecotypes: LrxEs, EsxLr and EfxLr. In family poultry farms, the hatching rate (HR), the fertility rate (FR), the average brood size (ABS_H) at hatching and at the weaning (ABS_W), the egg weight (EW) and the chick’s body weight (BW_C) were significantly higher (P<0.05) in local hens of savannah typethan those obtained in local hens of forest ecotype. The highest laying rate (RL) was obtained on station with the hens of Lr breed (41%) followed by the LsxLr crossbred (36%) and the Ls hens. The most fertile hens were those of the local ecotypes (Es, Ef) with a fertility rate (FR) “taken from  88 to 90%”followed by the hens of genotypes EsxLr and EfxLr (82 to 84%), the Lr hens (77%) and the LrxEs (68%). At the laying, the eggs of the Label Rouge were significantly heavier (P<0.001) than those of the crossbred hens. The lightest EW was obtained in the local hens of the two ecotypes. A significant (p<0.05) negative heterosis effects was found for the traits egg weight, egg yolk and egg white in the crosses involving females Lr. In crosses involving males Lr, a significant (p<0.01) heterosis was observed only for egg weight. The crossing EsxLr is the best adapted for the genetic improvement of local chickens of Benin.

Keys words: Hens, laying performance, egg quality, genotypes, ecotypes, heterosis.