Objective: This study was conducted in order to characterize the productive and reproductive system of local chicken in three agro-ecological zones of the South Kivu province from April to December 2017. Methodology and results: A cross-sectional survey was carried out by interviewing 360 chicken breeders from three agro-ecological zones mainly in the high, middle and lower altitude. The main results showed that this farming sector is led by men with a market-oriented goal (90.28%), having an average of 24.38 chickens reared in free range system (94.17%) without specific housing (81.11%). Chickens are supplemented with food (65.28%) and vitamin supplement (25.83%). The New castle is the most common disease (89.72%) affecting this sector due to absence of vaccination (96.67%) and traditional pharmacopoeia (77.5%) is the most used by breeders for the treatments of most of diseases. Furthermore, each chicken gives 13 eggs per spawning cycle for 2.96 cycles per year by which 70.37% of the eggs laid are incubated for a hatching rate of 84.50% and a weaning rate of 57.25%, occurring 2.52 months after hatching. Epidemics as well as predation are the main constraints hampering the local chicken production in addition to the lack of support by local government services. Conclusion and application of findings: Although this production system is secondary and based on the traditional production system, with less performances, it remains key in the economy of rural families and needs particular attention for its improvement. An adequate housing and a balanced diet would increase production and reduce the risk of loss of local chickens in the study region.

En Côte d’Ivoire, la pratique de l’élevage de cobaye est une activité marginalisée et méconnue des statistiques officielles des productions animales. Pour pallier ce déficit d’informations scientifiques et techniques, et promouvoir le développement de l’élevage de ce rongeur herbivore, une étude a été entreprise sur la caractérisation du système d’élevage du cobaye (Cavia porcellus, Linneaus, 1758) en Côte d’Ivoire. Une interview de 70 éleveurs sélectionnés dans les trois zones agroécologiques de la Côte d’Ivoire a été réalisée sur la base d’un questionnaire. Les résultats montrent que l’élevage de cobaye est pratiqué à majorité (70%) par les adolescents ayant un niveau de scolarisation d’étude primaire dont 73,33% sont de sexe masculin. L’aliment de base est à 80 % le fourrage récolté et il n'existe aucune prophylaxie sanitaire. Les cobayes élevés sont destinés à l’autoconsommation. Deux types d’élevage de cobaye ont été déterminés avec des techniques de conduite encore rudimentaires, correspondant ainsi à l’élevage familial traditionnel. Toutefois, cet élevage peut constituer un gage de sécurité alimentaire important pour les adolescents. Cependant, une sensibilisation efficiente pour son adoption et sa prise en compte dans les programmes de développement par tous les acteurs s’avèrent nécessaire.Mots clés : Cobaye, caractérisation, mini-élevage, système de production, Côte d’Ivoire. English Title: Characterization of cavy (Cavia porcellus L., 1875) breeding system in three agroecological zones of Côte d’Ivoire In Côte d'Ivoire, the practice of cavy breeding is a marginalized activity and little known by official statistics of animal production. To overcome this lack of scientific and technical information, and to promote development of cavy breeding, this study was undertaken on characterization of cavy breeding system (Cavia porcellus, Linneaus, 1758) in Côte d 'Ivoire. For interviewing, 70 cavy breeders selected from three agroecological zones of Côte d’Ivoire was carried out basis on questionnaire edited. Majority cavy breeder are adolescents (70%) with a level of primary school education, whom 73.33% are male. The staple food is 80% harvested fodder and no sanitary prophylaxis existing. Cavy is breeding for self-consumption for the holder. Two groups of cavy breeding have been determined with still rudimentary management techniques, thus corresponding to traditional family breeding animal. However, breeding cavy can constitute a pledge of important food security for youth. However, efficient awareness-raising for its adoption and its inclusion in development programs by all stakeholders is necessary.Keywords: Cavy, characterization, small stock, production system, Côte d’Ivoire.