Rearing of native chickens is very popular in many rural areas of Philippines. They are a common features in many yards in many neighbourhoods. Although the commercial varieties such as Dekalb are more productive and give better yield, the native chickens are sturdier and are highly adaptable to the conditions in the rural areas of Philippines where there is less food, poor shelter, diseases, sudden changes in weather patterns which generally put a lot of stress on the exotic varieties. In the rural conditions, the native chickens in the Philippines are left to practically forage on their own, find their own food and water and find their way back to the shelter. It is not a system of rearing really although it is generally classified as a traditional system.
While the birds have excellent survivability, the strain that they are put through in their growing years including exposure to predators means that the farmer can expect very little yield on this kind of poultry farming venture. But there are changes which could make the rearing of the native chickens in rural Philippines more profitable.
These can include the following:-
- Rearing improved native chicken varieties that still stay true type but have better production characteristics.
- Implementing a semi-free range system of production with better shelter, food supplementation, more vaccination and better nutrition.
- Implementing a free range system of production where the birds are still allowed to forage freely but in a controlled environment that is fenced and where clean watering points are provided. However, the birds still get to forage on the grass, grubs, legumes and many other food sources that they can find in the controlled pasturing area. The farmer can also supplement their feeding by giving them some food leftovers from the house.
Injecting a little bit of better management is guaranteed to result in the improvements of the yield.
The native chicken eggs
While the meat from the native chickens are quite valuable due to their nutrition, flavour and healthiness, the eggs are just as nutritious and valuable, valued for their yellow yolks and overall higher level of nutrients such as vitamins and amino acids. This all goes to the kind of lifestyle that these chickens lead with a varied diet and exposure to sunshine.
Best native chickens for egg production in the Philippines
Some of the native chickens that are best suited for egg production include Darag, Zampen, Camarines and Manok Bisaya. Under optimal condition, a native chicken will produce up to 120 eggs per year. While this is less than 50% of what you would get from the commercial layers, you have to consider that there is very little intensive management and labour costs associated with raising the native chickens.
Additionally, the mortality rate of the native chickens in the Philippines is also very low thanks to their sturdiness and adaptability. This will also mean you get a higher egg production if you are keeping many native chicken layers.
Native chickens do not require intense formulated feeding like the commercial layers. Instead, you only need to offer them more energy feeds that can comprise a combination of formulated rations, farm by-products, grains and various other farm by-products. The fact that you can supplement their feeding with all kinds of feeds and farm by-products makes raising the native chickens in the Philippines a very cost effective exercise.
Give these at least twice a day, in the morning and in the afternoon. Doing this will ensure that the native chickens are getting proper nutrition and this will, in turn, ensure a boost in egg production for the native chickens. Make sure you supply clean drinking water to the native chickens at all times.
You can even boost egg production by incorporating some of the practices of commercial egg production farms like the incorporation of artificial lighting in order to extend the day length.
Generally, a little effort towards improvement will go a long way in boosting the yield for the farmer. Start small by upping the feeding and supplying clean drinking water. Slowly, move towards better housing and so on.