Background Information about Philippine Native Chickens

The Philippine Native Chicken 

In the Philippines, the native chickens are comprised of two major phenotypic groups. These are the larger and smaller phenotypic groups. For the larger phenotypic group, these are comprised of the following: 

1. Basilan chicken of Zamboanga Peninsula
2. Paraoakan chicken of Palawan 
3. Jolo chicken of Western Visayas
4. Egon chicken of Bicol Region
5. Joloano chicken of Northern Luzon

These group of chicken is believed to be the remnants of Gallus giganteus or known to be the Giant Chicken that can be found in the Malay Peninsula (including the Philippines) and Papua New Guinea. The Giant Chicken is existing up to 18th Century in remote areas of the country. It was in the mid of 18th Century that Charles Darwin has seen it and describe as "Barbarous Chicken" with long legs and neck. He added that this chicken can be found in nine different islands of the Philippines. 

Furthermore, it is believed that the Malay Chicken as one of the parental lines of Cornish Chicken came from Gallus giganteus. The Malay Chicken was registered in the American Poultry Association as early as 1854. This implied that the Philippines has valuable genetic resources of native chickens that can be used for the development of the local breeds based on the requirements of the niche market and needs of the raisers.    

Aside from the larger genetic group, the country has a smaller phenotypic group that can be found in different regions. These are the following: 

1. Bisaya Chicken that can be found in Mindanao and Visayas Regions 
2. Manok Tagalog of Luzon Regions 

From these groups, various standardized breeds (selected for certain traits e.g. plumage color) were developed. These are the following: 

1. Darag chicken of Iloilo. This was developed from the Bisaya chicken. 
2. Camarines chicken Bicol
3. Banaba of Batangas
4. Bolinao of Pangasinan

There is more standardized breed are being developed in the Philippines. This is due to the perceived opportunities seen in these groups of poultry. The economic impact in the years to come is noted. It will reduce the dependency of the country from the importation of inputs needed in the production of various poultry products. This can also help in the conservations of our local genetic resources. 

to be continued. . . 

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