There has been a massive growth in the demand of native chicken and free range chickens in markets in Negros Occidental.
Apart from the traditional public markets that typically stock up on free range chickens and native chickens, you are now likely to see more of the products in supermarkets in malls where the free range chickens are well dressed and presented.
The free range chicken market and native chicken market in Negros Occidental has a created a new unique niche among the health conscious Filipinos while also complementing the well established market in the broilers and white chicken.
The free range chickens form part of the organic chickens which are currently being distributed by the provincial government in Negros Occidental through the animal dispersal program. The province is trying to boost the ratio of native chickens and free range chickens and reduce the ratio of the white chickens.
In 2016 alone, some 11, 447 heads of free range chickens were dispersed in Negros Occidental. This make up part of the 56, 602 heads of various livestock that have been distributed in the province to some 776 raisers. The province of Negros Occidental has been seeing a robust growth in the native chicken farming industry. In 2016 alone, some 5.13 million heads of native chickens were produced here.
Negros Occidental is Largest Producer of Native Chickens
The production figures from last year make Negros Occidental the largest producer of native chickens in the Philippines. In the second spot is Iloilo which produced some 4.16 million heads of chickens in 2016.
The native chickens in the Philippines also have a higher market value. Many vendors in Negros Occidental have been able to realize the higher potential of native chickens especially the dressed free range chickens as opposed to live markets sold in the market. This is an important innovation. In the past, many free range and native chicken farmers in the region sold their chicken live, a fact that might have diminished their appeal among middle class consumers. Today, you can find free range and native chickens in Negros Occidental which are properly dressed like the white chickens and broilers on the supermarket shelves.
Native and Free Range Chickens Fetching a Good Price in the Market
Currently, the dressed free range chickens are fetching P250 per Kg. This is better value than live chickens which are sold for P180 per Kg. The farmers get better value since the by-products of the free range chickens such as the gizzards, liver and intestines are also sold separately. These are also very popular with many of the chicken lovers in Negros Occidental.
The province is planning on introducing more interventions in order to further develop the native chicken and free range chicken farming sector. These include measures such as the introduction of poultry breeders which will see the crossing of breeding stock such as the dominant CZ and grimaud with the kabir jolo breeds of free range chickens from well established breeder farms.
The officials in Negros Occidental plan to continue the dispersal of breeders to the local poultry farmers and associations in 2017 and beyond. More will also be dispersed to the government managed production centers in the province. The provincial government is also working on expanding the multiplier farms that will have comprehensive facilities and breeders.
There will also be regular training and capacity building programs for the local poultry farmers venturing into native chicken and free range chicken farming in the province.