NATIVE CHICKEN FARMING
NATIVE CHICKENS are typically raised in the backyards of rural households. They are commonly grown in small numbers of up to about 24 hens for egg production. Some farmers raise native chickens for meat, barter, or sale as an additional source of income for the household. According to experts, the number of native chickens in the country is still the same as that of hybrid or commercial stocks. The government is giving the industry the proper attention and exerting efforts to improve native chicken farming because of the important role it plays in the economy, which includes the provision of additional income to small farmers, the scope/magnitude of the demand for native chicken in the local market, and the health benefits of the meat.
WHAT IS THE NATIVE CHICKEN? Characteristics of native chicken: • Live weight: 1-2 kilograms • Laying age: 5-6 months • No. of eggs produced per year: 60-100 eggs • Egg weight: 40-45 grams
Some of the popular native chicken breeds include Banaba from Batangas, Bolinao from Pangasinan, Camarines from Bicol, Darag from Iloilo, Joloano from Basilan and Paraoakan from Palawan.
In breeding native chickens, choose only the hens with superior characteristics, including the following: - Comb should be big, reddish, and smooth - Area around the eye and beak should be pale or whitish - Wattle should be soft and smooth - Vent should be big, round, moist, and pale - Pelvic bones should be soft and far apart
Select hens that are healthy, active, with shiny feathers, and a well-formed body so that it will produce a satisfactory number of fertile eggs. The ratio of roosters to hens should be maintained at 1:8. If the number of roosters exceeds this, it may lead to fighting and added feed cost. Select roosters that come from a flock of fast growers and are healthy and aggressive.
EGG COLLECTION Hens normally lay eggs from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Egg collection should be done on a daily basis, with just one egg left in the nest to encourage hens to lay more eggs. This encourages the hens to take better care of the eggs. Regular