February 20, 2008

Philippines fears extinction of native chicken in some provinces

The Department of Agriculture (DA) in the Philippines lately expressed fears on the possible extinction of native chicken breed especially in the Cordillera province.

DA poultry specialists said that the region has failed to tap the full potential of native chickens as a steady source of meat products.

Currently, raising native chicken has been confined to backyard farming in the region, while there is the rapid commercialisation of free-range chickens.

Jerry Sabado of the DA's quarantine services said native chickens do not receive enough attention from their owners because they are raised more for backyard purposes than as a major source of livelihood.

Sabado added that native chicken farming has given way to the mass production of free-range chickens.

Miriam Tiongan of the Benguet veterinary office said Cordillera has become a wide market for commercially raised chickens, and that thousands of them are delivered to different outlets in the province.

Philippines' native chickens vary from most free-range chickens as they are more organically based, not requiring dosage of antibiotics and commercial feeds. They could feed on green grasses and plants, insects and other natural commodities found in the soil.