Management, traits and performance of native chickens in selected towns of Cavite / by Daniel dL Reyes.

Thesis (B.S.A.--Animal Science) Don Severino Agricultural College

Includes bibliographical references.

College of Agriculture, Food, Environment and Natural Resources (CAFENR)

A survey was conducted to document management, traits, performance and morphological characteristics of Philippine native chickens in selected towns of Cavite, namely; Alfonso, Naic, Mendez and Indang. A total of 182 farmer-respondents was covered in a survey conducted from December , 1995 to February 18, 1996. Data were analyzed using simple tools such as frequency counts and percentages.
Most of the farmer- respondents had 18 heads of chicken the most and provided cages and shelter made of bamboo d roofed with old and rusty G. I. Sheets. Domestic discards were the commonly used feeds which re supplied 1-2 times a day. Water was provided to chickens by most of the respondents. Generally respondents d not give their birds vitamins and antibiotics. Breeding was indecisive and less than half of the respondents incorporated selection based on size. Deworming and vaccination were not practiced. Health d sanitation methods were not also observed by majority the respondents. Newly hatched chicks were confined for 3 weeks for hardening and were given special care majority of the respondents provided special care during my seasons. Catching and confining during planting season were seldom practiced. Chicks were weaned after two months or less. Brooding and rearing mortality was between 11-20 percent.
Pullets commenced lying at 5-7 months of age. Majority of them allowed the hens to lay in a nest and they started incubating after laying 8-12 eggs. Eggs were generally brown in color. Chicken came into production 3-4 times a year. Hatchability was between 81-95 percent. A native hen usually left her nest to feed from 30 minutes-1 hour and resumed laying after 2-3 months from the time of hatching. Only a small number of respondents treated their sick birds. Most of them disposed of dead birds by burying and burning. Farmers spent 7-10 months rearing birds before marketing them. They sold their chickens two times a year when they were about 1.3-2 kg at a price ranging from P50.00 and above per head, depending upon their size. Chickens were disposed for both market and home consumption.
Majority utilized eggs for hatching and raised chickens to yield eggs and meat. Tinola was the more common dish prepared by the respondents. The results showed that native chickens were nondescript. The plumage color came in varying shades and pattern with the red dominant color prevailing. The shanks were generally yellow, the earlobes and wattle were red. Most chicken possessed single comb. The chickens were completely feathered except the shank. Spur was generally present in rooster and not fully developed in cockerels.

Submitted to the University Library 05/10/2007 T-1648