The free-range chicken (FRC) industry has seen substantial
growth in the Philippines, fueled by increasing consumer demand for healthier,
naturally produced poultry products. Unlike conventionally raised caged
chickens, FRCs are allowed to roam in open or outdoor fields, follow their
natural instincts, and forage for insects and vegetation, resulting in meat and
eggs that are low in antibiotics and chemicals, and generally possess better
flavor.
For aspiring and current free-range farmers, selecting the
right breed is critical, but the choice often comes down to balancing high
productivity (eggs and meat) with traditional qualities and hardiness. Here, we
delve into the comparison between indigenous Philippine native chickens and the
popular imported free-range genetics: Rhode Island Red (RIR), Dominant Ziz (DZ)
hybrids, and Barred Plymouth Rock (BPR).
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The Native Chicken: The Original Free-Roamer
Native chickens represent the indigenous poultry stock of
the Philippines. Varieties are often named after their region of origin, such
as the Darag (Central Philippines), Parawakan (Western Philippines,
specifically Palawan), Banaba (Batangas), and Bulinao (Luzon).
Flavor and Growth: Native chicken meat is prized for
its traditional flavor. Experts note that the characteristic desirable flavor
of free-range chicken depends less on the breed itself and more on the duration
they are allowed to live, with 70 days being the recommended minimum for any
FRC to develop a native-like taste. Native chickens are often used to produce
smaller, meat-type birds (around 1 kilogram) ideal for dishes like inasal.
They are generally smaller than commercial hybrids.
Production and Temperament: The primary drawback of
native chickens is their low egg-laying productivity, typically yielding around
50 eggs per year. However, they possess a strong, natural instinct for
incubation (broodiness) and make excellent mothers, capable of sitting on 12 to
15 eggs. Because they are light, native chickens tend to roost high on trees,
which makes management, especially vaccination, challenging.
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Rhode Island Red (RIR): The Heritage Standard
The Rhode Island Red (RIR) is a renowned heritage breed,
widely adopted in the Philippines as one of the most popular free-range chicken
varieties. RIRs are favored for being dual-purpose, meaning they are good for
both egg and meat production.
Egg Production and Market: RIR hens are reliable
layers, producing brown eggs. Free-ranging layers typically aim for 250 to
270 eggs per year. The RIR is particularly popular and highly sought after
by FRC buyers. Roosters can be raised for meat and are ready for disposal
around four months of age. The RIR is a hardy breed, and a "vintage
line" of RIR is considered a high-value, rare breed.
Hatching Behavior: Unlike native chickens, RIRs are
typically not broody (they do not sit on their eggs). Therefore, successful
breeding requires the use of artificial incubators to hatch the eggs.
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The Hybrid Heavy Hitters: Dominant Ziz (DZ) and Barred
Plymouth Rock (BPR)
The increasing commercialization of FRC farming has led to
the introduction of high-performing commercial hybrids, specifically engineered
to maintain hardiness in free-range environments while offering superior
production rates.
Dominant Ziz (DZ) Hybrids
Dominant Ziz (DZ) refers to a line of specialized hybrid
chickens, originally imported from Slovakia, now exclusive to Dominant Asia for
Genetics. These strains are cross-bred for specific performance attributes,
often involving heritage breeds like RIR and BPR in their lineage.
DZ strains include:
- Dominant
Red D 853: Progeny of two RIR parents.
- Dominant
Black D 109: Cross between a BPR mother and RIR father.
- Dominant
Brown D 102: Result of crossing Rhode Island White and Rhode Island
Red.
- Dominant
Barred D 959: Characterized by black and white barred plumage.
Superior Production: The key comparative advantage of
DZ hybrids is their astonishing egg productivity. These engineered layers can
produce between 298 to 308 brown eggs per year (hen housed production,
up to 78 weeks of age), significantly surpassing the RIR (250 eggs) and the
Native chicken (50 eggs). A single Dominant layer hen consumes about 45 kg of
feed over two years.
Weight and Hardiness: DZ birds are generally larger
than natives, weighing around 1.5 kg by 18 weeks and reaching a hen weight of
approximately 2.15 kg by 78 weeks. Their heavier build means they do not
fly high into trees, making them easier to manage in a ranging environment
compared to native chickens. They are adapted for the free-range lifestyle and
perform well on the range.
Barred Plymouth Rock (BPR)
The Barred Plymouth Rock is often mentioned alongside RIR as
a key FRC and dual-purpose breed available in the Philippines. Its recognizable
black and white barred pattern is maintained in the Dominant Barred D 959
hybrid. The BPR is actively bred for free-range production, and its
cross-breeding results in robust, productive hybrid offspring, such as the
Dominant Black D109.
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Comparative Summary: Native vs. Commercial FRCs
|
Feature |
Native Chickens (e.g., Darag, Banaba) |
RIR (Heritage) & DZ/BPR (Hybrids) |
|
Primary Goal |
Traditional meat/broodiness. |
High-volume egg and meat production. |
|
Annual Egg Yield (Approx.) |
Low (around 50 eggs/year). |
High (RIR: 200–270; DZ: 298–308 eggs/year). |
|
Adult Weight |
Smaller (typically under 1.5 kg dressed weight). |
Larger and heavier (2.15 kg or more). |
|
Meat Flavor |
Distinctly flavorful if grown to 70 days. |
Excellent flavor developed through free-ranging and
slaughtering at 70+ days. |
|
Broodiness |
Highly broody; used for natural incubation. |
Low broodiness; requires artificial incubation for
breeding RIR and hybrids. |
|
Management |
Tendency to roost high. |
Heavier birds, easier to keep contained within designated
areas. |
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Final Considerations for FRC Farming
The choice between the traditional native chicken and
high-performing commercial crossbreeds (like RIR and the Dominant Ziz strains)
rests entirely on the farmer's objective:
- For
Niche/Traditional Markets and Natural Hatching: Native chickens are
suitable if the goal is preserving local genetics or relying exclusively
on natural incubation methods due to their inherent broodiness.
- For
Commercial Productivity: If the primary goal is maximizing sales from
eggs and meat, high-production hybrids like the Dominant Ziz (which is
often bred using RIR and BPR parent stock) offer superior yields. These
hybrids—capable of laying over 300 eggs per year—provide a strong economic
return, despite requiring investment in artificial incubators for
large-scale hatching.
Regardless of the breed chosen, success in FRC farming
hinges on applying proper management practices. This includes strict
biosecurity measures, providing adequate clean housing and ranging area (a
maximum of 3 chickens per square meter), and feeding a naturally based diet of
forage (like azola or madre de agua) to reduce feed costs and
ensure meat quality. As one expert states, "An educated farmer is a
successful farmer".
Choosing a productive breed is simply setting the stage;
allowing them to fulfill their natural instincts and giving them the time (70+
days) to mature is what truly delivers the healthy, flavorful meat and eggs
consumers seek in the free-range market.
