OFFICE OF THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Dear Reader:

Through sustained and focused collaborative R&D efforts

on Philippine native chicken improvement and utilization, the
traditional subsistence type of native chicken raising has slowly
become a native chicken-based rural enterprise. The Philippine
native chickens’ ability to survive and reproduce under local
environmental conditions with minimal resource and technology
inputs, has provided poor farmers the opportunity of creating
livelihood from this local poultry genetic resource. Moreover, its
unique taste and flavor commands a premium price acceptable to
consumers. This ensures market and profit for the farmers’ produce.
Likewise the apparently increasing demand for free-ranged native
chicken meat by health conscious groups and institutional buyers
further widens the market for native chicken products.
We hope that this primer would provide initial information
regarding production of Philippine native chicken.

Sincerely yours,

PATRICIO S. FAYLON
Executive Director
PCARRD

PHILIPPINE COUNCIL FOR AGRICULTURE, FORESTRY
AND NATURAL RESOURCES RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
Los Baños, Laguna, Philippines 4030
Tel. Nos. : (63) (049) 536-0014 to 536-0015/536-0017 to 536-0020;
FAX: Los Baños - (63) (049) 536-0016/536-7922
Manila Liaison Office: DOST Bicutan, Taguig, Metro Manila
Tel.No.: (63) (02) 837-1651
E-mail: pcarrd@pcarrd.dost.gov.ph
Website: http://www.pcarrd.dost.gov.ph

 PCARRD Farm Primer No. 28/2008

Production of Day-old
and Hardened Chicks,
and Slaughter Philippine
Native Chickens

Philippine Council for Agriculture, Forestry and Natural

Resources Research and Development
Department of Science and Technology

Los Baños, Laguna

2008
First Edition 2008

ISSN 0119-5727

Bibliographic Citation:

Philippine Council for Agriculture, Forestry and

Natural Resources Research and Development.
Production of day-old and hardened chicks, and
slaughter Philippine native chickens. Los Baños,
Laguna: PCARRD, 2008. - 16p. – (PCARRD Farm
Primer No. 28/2008)

ii
Foreword

T hrough the application of science-based techniques that

include breeding, feeding, health care, range management
and housing, traditional subsistence-type production has slowly
become a native chicken-based rural enterprise. The increasing
demand for native chicken products ensures livelihood for rural
farmers. Moreover, the minimal material and technological
input requirement of Philippine native chicken production allow
participation of poor farmers in rural areas in this poultry-based
enterprise. The preference of most Filipinos for native chicken
products is largely attributed to its superior organoleptic quality
and to its being produced naturally.
This primer highlights the potentials of the Philippine native
chicken as a sustainable source of livelihood for rural farmers.
We hope that this publication will be useful to current and
prospective native chicken raisers, researchers, technicians, and
students in animal science and related fields.

PATRICIO S. FAYLON
Executive Director
PCARRD

iii
Acknowledgment

P CARRD wishes to acknowledge the following for their

valuable contribution to the production of this primer:

l Dr. Edwin C. Villar, director of the Livestock Research

Division (LRD) for sharing photographs and serving
as adviser;
l Dr. Bernabe B. Cocjin, Dr. Evelyn D. Tomambo,
Mr. George Fredrick A. Roxas, Ms. Celma G. Casiple,
and Mr. Ray L. Arenga of the West Visayas State
University (WVSU), for unselfishly sharing photographs
and information on native chicken production and
management;
l Native chicken raisers Mr. Luis Soliban of Janiuay,
Iloilo and Mr. Juan G. Tagamolila of Himamaylan,
Negros Occidental, for unselfishly sharing farm data
on native chicken production and for allowing the
LRD to take photographs of their native chicken flocks.

iv
Table of Contents

Foreword iii
Acknowledgment iv
What is Philippine Native Chicken? 1
What are the different genetic groups/types of Philippine
native chicken? 1
Why raise native chickens? 4
What products are produced and what potential enterprises
can be built from Philippine native chicken? 5

Day-old chick production 5

l

Hardened chick production 10

l

l Free-range slaughter native chicken production 12

References 16

List of Figures
1 A flock of free-range native chicken 1
2 Bolinao type of Philippine native chicken 2
3 Banaba type of Philippine native chicken 2
4 Camarines type of Philippine native chicken 2
5 Darag type of Philippine native chicken 3
6 Paraoakan type of Philippine native chicken 3
7 A flock of highly uniform breeder native chickens 6
8 Housing for breeder native chickens 7
9 Breeder native chickens foraging on natural feeds on
range 8
10 Chicks hatched in artificial incubators 9
11 Day-old native chicks 10
12 Native chicks in artificial brooder 11
13 Hardened native chicks ready for release to the range 12
14 Free-range native chickens given supplemental feeds
inside the house 13
15 Live slaughter native chicken at the wet market of Iloilo
City 15
16 Dressed native chickens at the wet market of Iloilo
City 15


What is Philippine native chicken?

Philippine native chickens are the most common

domesticated fowls found in most smallhold farms in the
countryside. These are often left on their own to fend for
themselves. These birds are believed to have evolved from
indiscriminate breeding between introduced exotic purebreds
and indigenous stocks that have descended from the wild red
jungle fowl. Traditionally, these birds are kept in smallholder
farms as sources of meat and eggs and as source of additional
income to rural families.

Fig. 1. A flock of free-range native chicken.

What are the different genetic groups/types

of Philippine native chicken?

Through a long process of natural selection under local

conditions, the Philippine native chicken has evolved into a type
of domesticated fowl that is able to survive and reproduce even
with minimal material and technological inputs. Owing to the
archipelagic nature of the country, several strains and/or genetic
groups of Philippine native chickens, which are phenotypically
distinct from each other, have evolved in different regions or


Fig. 2. Bolinao type of Philippine native chicken.

Fig. 3. Banaba type of Philippine native chicken.

Fig. 4. Camarines type of Philippine native chicken.


Fig. 5. Darag type of Philippine native chicken.

Fig. 6. Paroakan type of Philippine native chicken.

island groups. Today, the documented strains of Philippine

native chicken are 'Banaba' from Batangas, ‘Bolinao’ from
Pangasinan, ‘Camarines’ from Bicol, ‘Darag’ from Panay Island,
‘Paraokan’ from Palawan and ‘Cebu Black’ from Cebu. There
may be more strains from other areas of the country that are yet
to be documented.
Philippine native chickens are usually single-combed and
its shank color varies from yellow, white, gray, or black. The
common plumage colors and patterns of the native chickens
are the following: reddish-brown (‘Dalusapi’ and ‘Mayahin’);
silver laced with bluish-green tint (‘Talisayin’); alternate barring
of black, white, gray and reddish-brown (‘Bulik’); solid white
(‘Puti’); smoky-white to brownish-gray ('Abuhin'); brown to
gray with white spots (‘Lasak’); and solid black (‘Itim’).


Why raise native chickens?

The primary objectives of native chicken production are

employment and income generation particularly for the rural
poor. Although traditionally, native chickens are kept in
smallhold farms as sources of meat and eggs and occasionally
as source of additional income for the family. It has also served
other socioeconomic functions to rural families, i.e., offering
during cultural ceremonies, economic buffer during lean
months, gifts to friends and relatives, and payment for medical
and other services. However, with the application of simple
science-based interventions, the potential of the native chicken
as source of sustainable livelihood has surfaced.
Having undergone a long process of natural selection,
the native chicken has developed adaptation to various local
agro-climatic conditions. Among the characteristics that were
built in the Philippine native chickens are: hardiness, ability
to forage naturally occurring feed resources, ability to utilize
farm-by-products and apparent resistance to diseases. Native
chickens are generally small but active. Moreover, these require
minimal material, financial, and technological inputs. All these
characteristics make native chicken raising possible even to
financially challenged rural farmers.
Under traditional management systems, a native hen lays
about 40–60 eggs/year. This is because they are allowed to
incubate their eggs and take care of their young that prolong
expression of the broody behavior that inhibits egg production.
However, with improved management and better nutrition, egg
production is increased to about 100 eggs/hen per year.
Mortality of native chicks and growing chickens can go
as high as 80–90% under traditional management. However,
through improved health care and free-range management
system, mortality is reduced to 20–30%. Improved feeding
of free-ranged native chickens has led to the attainment of a
desired slaughter weight of 0.80–1.2 kg at 14–18 weeks old,
which is normally achieved at 18–20 weeks under traditional
management systems.
Native chicken meat is preferred by many Filipinos over that
of its commercially-produced counterpart because of its unique
taste and flavor, leanness, suitability to ethnic Filipino delicacies,


and the perception that it is healthier. Consumer preference is
demonstrated by their willingness to pay a premium price for
the meat, which ranges from 50% to 100% higher compared
with that of commercial white chickens. The apparent ease
in raising native chickens and the higher prices offered for its
products show the potential and sustainability of native chicken
production.

What products are produced and what potential

enterprises can be built from Philippine
native chicken?

Several R&D activities conducted by research agencies

in Region 6 under the leadership of the West Visayas State
University (WVSU) have identified specific products from native
chickens. These products include day-old chicks, hardened
chicks, and free-range slaughter native chicken.

Day-old chick production

A day-old chick production enterprise involves breeding

and hatchery management. The primary objective of breeding
native chickens for day-old chick production is to produce a
batch of chicks that are uniform in physical appearance with
predictable growth performance and consistent quality in
substantial numbers (not less than 50). Day-old chick is the
primary product of this production enterprise, however, the
farmer has the option of rearing the chicks up to the end of
the brooding stage and selling them as hardened native chicks.
The following are some useful tips for successful day-old chick
production:

l Select breeder pullets that are healthy, similar in age,

physical appearance, and weight. These birds should
come from a flock that is observed to posses high
egg production capacity. Native pullets start laying at
18–20 weeks of age.
l Select rosters that are of about the same age as the
pullets and uniform in physical appearance and weight.


Fig. 7. A flock of highly uniform breeder native chickens.

The potential breeder roosters must be healthy and

aggressive. These birds should belong to the same type
or genetic group as the pullets. Native roosters are ready
for breeding at 20–24 weeks of age.
l Maintain a rooster to hen ratio of 1:5 to ensure high
fertility of hatching eggs.
l Provide housing to protect breeder chickens from
extreme weather and predators at night and to confine
the birds during rainy days. The housing unit should
also accommodate sufficient number of nest baskets.
Install nests in the upper and darker portion of the
house. Nests maybe lined with lemon grass or ‘Alagaw’
leaves to control mites and lice infestation.
l Vaccinate breeder chickens against New Castle Disease
(NCD) and other diseases prevalent in the area.
l Deworm the breeder flock regularly (at least twice a year
or when symptoms of parasitism is observed).
l Provide sufficient range area with abundant naturally
occurring feed materials (i.e., grasses and other edible
vegetations, insects, and worms). Naturally occurring
feed materials may be enhanced by planting species that


Fig. 8. Housing for breeder native chickens.

are preferred by chickens or species that serves as hosts

to insects. Earth worms may also be cultured in the farm
to enhance natural sources of protein feed for the birds.
l Provide supplemental feeds to breeder chickens.
Supplemental feeding is normally done in the morning
and in the afternoon to develop the chickens’ homing
instinct. Supplemental feeds for free-range native
chickens are primarily energy feeds, which could be any
or a combination of formulated ration, grains, and other
farm products and by-products. Unlimited free range
area is recommended, however, if there is a need to
limit the movement of the chickens a ranging area of
about 2 m 2 per bird and planted to vegetations
preferred as food by native chickens is recommended.
l Provide fresh drinking water at all times in strategic
areas within the house and areas within the range
where the birds usually gather together.
l Practice proper farm sanitation and implement
biosecurity measures to ensure health of the breeder
flock. Isolate sick birds and dispose dead birds properly
to avoid the risk of contaminating healthy birds with
disease.
l Practice daily collection of hatching eggs. This will
increase the number of eggs that is laid by a hen per


Fig. 9. Breeder native chickens foraging on natural feeds on range.

clutch. Store hatching egg in cool, dry, and well-

ventilated area. Set eggs for incubation within 10 days
of storage. To encourage hens to lay more eggs in the
same nests, put two dummy eggs in each nest.
l Only eggs with good ovoid shape, sound shell quality
(free from cracks and of adequate thickness) and of
average size (approximately 40–50 g) must be selected
for incubation.
l If artificial incubator is available, incubate eggs
artificially. Set at least 60 eggs per batch to ensure
that sufficient number of chicks will be hatched at the
same time.
l If artificial incubator is not available, synchronized
natural incubation may be practiced. This is
accomplished by collecting the eggs from the nests
daily until at least five hens are showing broody
behavior and are sitting on their nests. Set 12–15 eggs
for every broody hen simultaneously. This will ensure
hatching of more or less 50 chicks at the same time.


Fig. 10. Chicks hatched in artificial incubators.

l Practice culling and selection on newly hatched chicks.

Cull chicks that are weak, with physical abnormality,
and those with down feathers that are not fluffy.
l Right after natural incubation, separate the chicks from
the hens. Break the broodiness of the hens by dipping
them in cold water for about 5 minutes then confining
them in well-lighted cages and providing them high
protein feeds for 3–5 days. After which, they may be let
loose to lay the succeeding clutch of eggs.
l Practice selective culling to maintain good production
efficiency. Cull breeder hens and roosters that are sick
or physically incapacitated for breeding.
l Cull breeder hens after 2 years of egg production.
l Day-old native chicks may be sold to farmers engaged
in the production of hardened chicks and/or slaughter
native chickens, or may be kept in the farm for 30 days
during the summer months or 45 days during the wet
season and sold as hardened chicks.

With these interventions, each hen is expected to produce

75 day-old chicks per year or a potential net income of


P451–971/hen per year from an estimated expense of
P1,064/hen per year if the chicks are sold at day-old.

Hardened chick production

Hardened chick production is one of the three major

production enterprises from native chicken raising. Hardened
native chicks are 30–45 days old and are ready to be let loose
on range. Hardened chick production involves artificial
brooding of chicks and then gradually introducing them to
range conditions starting at 3 weeks of age during the
summer months or 5 weeks of age during the rainy season.
The following are some useful tips in producing hardened
native chicks:

l Select day-old native chicks that are healthy, uniform

in physical appearance and are more or less of the
same size.
l Keep day-old chicks in artificial brooders, which
provide heat (from either electric bulb or kerosene
lamp) of about 32o–35oC to the chicks during the first

Fig. 11. Day-old native chicks.

10
Fig. 12. Native chicks in artificial brooder.

week of brooding. A 50-watt incandescent bulb would

be sufficient to provide the required heat of 50 chicks.
As a rule, 1 watt per chick is sufficient for brooding.
Brooder temperature may be gradually reduced to
28oC toward the end of the 2nd week and until the
3rd week of brooding.
l Install sacks, sheets of paper, tarpaulin, or cloth along
the sides of the brooder to protect the chicks from draft
and conserve heat.
l Feed chicks with formulated chick booster and/or starter
ration, ad libitum.
l Provide drinking water at all times.
l At 3 weeks of age, gradually introduce the chicks to
the range (hardening). Initially, let loose the chicks to
a fenced off ranging area during the day. Make sure
that the ground and grasses are dry before letting
the chicks loose. Scatter small portions of the feed
ration in various sites within the ranging area to train
the chicks to search for food.

11
Fig. 13. Hardened native chicks ready for release to the range.

l Keep the chicks in the brooder during rainy days.

l Vaccinate the chicks against NCD and other poultry
diseases prevalent in the area before these are introduced
to the range.
l Hardened chicks maybe sold or finally let loose on range
at 30 days old during the dry months or 45 days old
during the wet season.

With these interventions, 90% of the day-old chicks that

were started are expected to be sold as hardened native
chicks or let loose on range for slaughter native chicken
production. The estimated cost to produce and the net
return from sales of hardened chicks per hen per year are
P2,693 and P1,795, respectively.

Free-range slaughter native chicken production

Production of free-range slaughter native chicken involves

selection of hardened chicks, housing, health care, and free-
range management systems. The primary objective of this
production system is to raise native chickens on range and

12
grow these birds to 0.8–1.2 kg liveweight at 16–18 weeks of age.
The main product of this production system is slaughter native
chicken. Mortality should be kept within 20% during the entire
growing period of the birds to ensure reasonable profit. Under
this system, the birds are let loose in the field and allowed to
forage for feed. The following are some tips to produce free-
range slaughter native chickens:

l Select hardened chicks of similar age, and with high

uniformity in size and physical appearance. Make
sure that the hardened chicks are vaccinated (NCD at
least), healthy, and free from physical defects and/or
abnormality.
l Confine newly arrived hardened chicks inside the
poultry house for 3–5 days before letting them loose
in the range. This is practiced to allow the chicks to
adjust to the new environment. Housing for free-range
slaughter native chickens should protect the birds from
extreme weather and predators at night and confine the
birds during rainy days and periods that necessitate full
confinement of birds.

Fig. 14. Free-range native

chickens given
supplemental feeds
inside the house.

13
 l During the first few days, feed hardened chicks with
formulated chicken grower ration. After which, the
chicks are gradually let loose in the range where about
50% of the birds’ feed requirement will be derived.
Supplemental feeding with primarily energy feeds,
which could be any or a combination of commercially
formulated ration, grains, and other farm products and
by-products, is recommended. Supplemental feeds are
normally given in the morning to give the birds a head
start and in the afternoon to develop the birds’ homing
instinct and allow a daily head count. Unlimited free
range area is recommended, however, if there is a need
to limit the movement of the chickens a ranging area
of about 2 m2 per bird and is planted to vegetations
preferred as food by native chickens is recommended.
l Provide fresh drinking water at all times.
l Deworm the birds regularly. Deworming is normally
practiced every 3 months or when symptoms of
parasitism is observed. Herbal anthelmintics (e.g.,
betel nut) may be used in deworming free-range native
chickens.
l Isolate sick, inactive, and weak birds from healthy
ones to prevent possible disease outbreak. Give proper
medication and care to sick birds for them to recover
early.
l Practice proper sanitation to ensure the health of
the flock. Dead birds, specifically those that died of
diseases or unknown causes, should be burned or buried
immediately to avoid the risk of infecting the remaining
healthy birds.
l An all-in all-out production system is recommended
to effectively control the proliferation of pathogenic
organisms in the farm.
l Free-range slaughter native chickens are currently sold
either live or dressed in local wet markets.

Under these production system, mortality of growing native

chickens is expected to be within 20% and a liveweight of
0.8–1.2 kg at 16–18 weeks of age. The estimated cost to produce
and the net return from sales of live slaughter chickens are
P90 and P30–35/bird, respectively.
14
Fig. 15. Live slaughter native chicken at the wet market of Iloilo City.

Fig. 16. Dressed native chickens at the wet market of Iloilo City.

15
References

Bondoc, O.L. Biodiversity of livestock and poultry genetic

resources in the Philippines. Los Baños, Laguna: PCARRD,
1998.
Coligado, E.C.; Lambio A.L.; Luis, E.S. Management studies
for improving production of the native chicken. College,
Laguna: UP Los Baños, 1985.
De Los Santos, E.B.; Bascuna E.G.; Ampongan S.A.
Identification and evaluation of native chickens in Bicol
Region. Pili, Camarines Sur: Bicol Integrated Agricultural
Research Center, 1995.
Lambio, A.L.; Rodriguez C.M.; Caramat V.N. Identification,
documentation and evaluation of Philippine native
chickens. College, Laguna: UP Los Baños, 1994.
Lambio, A.L.; Roxas, N.P.; Villanueva, E.M. Protein and
isoenzyme polymorphism in Philippine native chicken.
College, Laguna: UP Los Baños, 1995. – (Terminal
Report).
Lopez, Jr., C.S. Assessment of naturally occurring feed
resources for native chickens in Region 6. La Paz, Iloilo
City: West Visayas State University. – (Terminal Report).
PCARRD. Improved management of Philippine native
chickens. Los Baños, Laguna: PCARRD, 2000. – (PCARRD
Farm Primer No. 19).

16
 PRODUCTION TEAM

Writer Dr. SYNAN S. BAGUIO

Assistant Director
Livestock Research Division (LRD)
PCARRD

Editors Ms. ANNA MARIE P. ALO

Senior Science Research Specialist
LRD-PCARRD

Mr. JOEL ENERISTO A. JOVEN

Senior Science Research Specialist
Applied Communication Division (ACD)
PCARRD

Consultant Dr. EDWIN C. VILLAR

Director
LRD-PCARRD

Layout Ms. MARINA T. DE RAMOS

Science Research Specialist
ACD-PCARRD

For more information, please contact/call:

LRD-PCARRD, Los Baños, Laguna

Tel. Nos.: (049) 536-0014 to 536-0015, 536-0017 to to 536-0020, 536-0024
536-5896 to 536-5899 Loc. 235, 236, and 268
E-mail: pcarrd@pcarrd.dost.gov.ph
URL/Website: http://www.pcarrd.dost.gov.ph