Selecting the appropriate chicken breed, or the animal’s genetics,
is one of the five essential requirements for operating a successful poultry
farm. In the Philippines, the free-range chicken industry has evolved from
traditional backyard practices to a robust sector supplying premium, healthy
products. Choosing the right strain determines whether a farm will excel in
meat production (broilers), egg laying (layers), or both (dual-purpose). The
selection of strains or breeds should always be based on market requirements
and preferences.
The Philippine National Standard (PNS) defines the system as
one where chickens are not housed in confined cages but are allowed to
roam in open or outdoor fields, where they follow their natural instincts to
forage for grass and insects. The success of this system relies heavily on
hardy, resilient breeds.
I. Native and Heritage Lines: The Local Champions
Locally available strains and breeds are recognized by the
Department of Agriculture’s Bureau of Agriculture and Fisheries Standards
(BAFS) as suitable for cage-free egg production. These birds have natural
adaptability to the Philippine environment and possess the intense, rich flavor
prized by consumers.
A. The Native Chicken Portfolio
Native-type chickens have developed unique forms and
characteristics suited to specific locations and are the product of selection
over at least five generations. The native chicken was crucial in the
industry's inception, as the first free-range stocks were adapted to the
local native chicken setup when the technology was introduced to the
Philippines.
Locally available native-type chickens include:
- Paraoakan:
This is a large game fowl found in Palawan and the Western Philippines. It
is one of the native breeds currently being protected and multiplied for
their genetic strain.
- Darag:
Predominantly found in the Central Philippines, this breed is also a focus
for protection and propagation.
- Banaba:
This is a native line specific to Batangas that has existed for
centuries. Some experts are focusing research on the Banaba chicken,
believing it to be a promising source of local meat if managed
under high-level technology and processes.
- Other
Native Breeds: The list also includes Joloanon, Camarines, Bolinao,
Boholano, and Zampen.
Native chickens are often characterized as being 100%
free range and can roam and eat what they desire, such as worms and grass,
often in a native style.
B. Popular Heritage and Dual-Purpose Breeds
Heritage breeds, which have retained their original
characteristics, are widely popular in free-range systems because they are
adaptable to roaming environments.
- Rhode
Island Red (RIR): The RIR is arguably the most popular
free-range chicken in the Philippines. It is listed as both a heritage
layer line and a pure broiler type. The RIR was the first free-range
chicken to gain popularity in the country. One free-range farm
confirmed that RIR and the Black Australorp are the two popular
breeds used in their operation. The RIR is commonly raised for both
breeding and meat type.
- Breeding
Consideration: RIRs generally do not brood their eggs, meaning
farmers who raise them for production must invest in artificial
incubators.
- Black
Australorp: This breed is also commonly used in free-range farming. It
is listed alongside RIR and Plymouth Rock as a common Free-Range Chicken
(FRC) breed in the Philippines.
- Barred
Plymouth Rock (BPR): This breed is listed as both a pure broiler type
and a heritage layer line.
II. Commercial Hybrids for Maximized Production
Commercial hybrid breeds are often developed for high output
(eggs or meat) in confinement but have been successfully adapted to the
free-range system, particularly by larger commercial farms.
A. High-Yield Layer Strains
While free-range layers generally produce slightly less than
their caged counterparts (around 250 to 270 eggs a year in free-range
systems compared to up to 400 eggs in engineered confined systems), these
breeds are chosen for efficiency and brown egg output:
- Dekalb
Browns: All Seasons Nature Farms, a commercial free-range operation,
uses Dekalb Browns for their layer stock. The Batangas Free Range
Chicken Farm has also relied on the Dekalb line for egg production.
- Dominant
Chickens: This is another brand name for free-range chickens commonly
raised.
- Other
Hybrids: The list of available commercial layer strains includes Leg
horns (brown and white), Hy-line Brown, Shaver Brown, Bovans Brown,
Lohmann Brown, ISA Brown, Babcock, and Hisex Novo.
B. Fast-Growing Broiler Strains
These strains are selected to reach market weight quickly
under free-range conditions, which means harvesting them between 60 to 75
days.
- Sasso
Type and Hubbards: These are two major hybrid broiler types used in
free-range farming. Both breeds are sometimes sourced internationally, as
the technology and initial stock for free-range chickens in the
Philippines originated from a French company that marketed the Sasso
breed. All Seasons Nature Farms uses Sasso or Hubbards for their
meat production.
- Cornish:
This pure breed is also listed as a meat type suitable for free-range
systems.
III. Specialized and Niche Breeds
Farmers may choose specific breeds to enter niche markets or
to improve genetic traits through crossbreeding.
- The
Broiler Flavor Secret: Regardless of whether the breed is native or a
commercial hybrid, its quality taste—being mas malasa—comes from
allowing the chicken to grow to its full term, typically 70 to
75 days, as mandated by the Philippine National Standard (PNS) for
organic production.
- Hardy
Crossbreeds (Shamo and Asil): Some farmers intentionally crossbreed
birds like the Rhode Island Red with extremely hardy breeds
such as Asil (Ail) or Shamo to create vigorous chicks that
can withstand the weather conditions in the Philippines. Shamo chickens
are described as strong and sturdy.
- Bantam
Chickens: Bantam chickens are small or miniature chickens. They
are known for being brave and having a temperament comparable to
fighting cocks. They are characterized as strong and sturdy chickens
in a small body and consume a little amount of food, making them cheap
to produce.
- Fancy/Ornamental
Breeds: Breeds like the Silkie Chicken and Naked Neck
Chickens/Turken (which is also dual-purpose) are raised for specialty
markets, sometimes sold for much higher prices than meat or layer
chickens.
Ultimately, the farmer's breed choice is the result of
experience and reliable sourcing. New farmers are strongly advised to purchase
chicks from trusted, legitimate breeders to ensure the genetic quality
and integrity of their initial stock.
