Production Environment and Management of Native Chickens (Gallus gallus) in Kapangan, Benguet

Abstract

This study was conducted to determine the production environment and management of native chickens in Kapangan, Benguet from February 13, 2016 to April 2, 2016. Generally, the study was conducted to determine the production environment and management of native chickens in Kapangan, Benguet. Specifically, the study was conducted to determine the socio-economic profile of native chicken raisers in Kapangan, Benguet; determine aspects of native chicken production of native chickens; flock management of native chicken in terms of production and market; problems encountered by the respondent of native chicken production; and generate information on the geographical distribution of native chickens in Kapangan, Benguet. Probability proportionate sampling was done to determine the villages to be involved in the study. A total of 384 respondents in the eight chosen barangays who are engaged in native chicken raising was interviewed. Face to face interview of the native chicken raisers was conducted. Data analysis was purely descriptive. Most of the native chicken raisers in Kapangan, Benguet were from the age’s ranges from 41-50 years old and mostly high school educated. Most of them are male and least are female. Results show that there are specific areas in the municipality where the production of native chicken predominates. The income of the native chicken growers that is produced through their chickens is relatively low since native chicken production is still a backyard family economic undertaking and has no specific market. Native chickens were usually raised in free range but they are provided with cages some chickens are tethered specially the roosters. Most of their feedstuff was kitchen refuse, farm products, unmarketable fruits and rice bran. These feeds are usually broadcasted in the ground and some used splitted bamboos and sliced tires as feeding trough of their chickens. The common practice of the growers in breeding their chickens is uncontrolled breeding and least of them use controlled breeding or hand mating. The common causes of death of their chickens were diseases, referred to as “peste” as stated by the raisers, and the presence of predators. Most farmers do not vaccinate their chickens or give medication when birds are sick. The chicken population was composed most of chicks followed by hens, roosters and pullets. The common strain that they raise in Kapangan, Benguet was paraoakan and camarines. Most of the respondents are high school and elementary educated. Meanwhile, majority of the respondents were generally farmers engaged in crop cultivation. In terms of their age, majority of the respondents from Kapangan were generally 41-50 years old. The respondents were mostly raisers of native chicken for 25-35 years. Chicks have the most number in the municipality. They only sell their chickens to their neighborhood and price it by means of size, bulto/per head, and kind of breeding for cockfight. Most of the raisers practiced uncontrolled mating in the multiplication of their animals. Most of their hens lay their first egg at the age of 7-8 months and their hens lay their eggs twice a year. Majority of their hens laid egg in a clutch size from 11-15. Most of the respondents raise their native chickens in a free range system. They generally fed their chickens with farm products. Most of the raisers in Kapangan, Benguet raise native chicken for home consumption. The problems encountered by raisers were the diseases like peste which has affected their production the most. There were also some problems like the presence of parasites and predators in the area. Generally, the native chicken growers did not vaccinate their native chickens. Most of the raisers who are taking decisions in managing the chicken production are men. The common strains of chicken that they raise in Kapangan, Benguet were paraoakan and camarines. Veterinary facilities, extension services and marketing is not sufficient at Kapangan, Benguet. Based on the results of the study, native chickens in Kapangan, Benguet have low productivity due to inadequate nutrition, housing, breeding, and health management. It is suggested that there should be an improvement in the feeding, housing, breeding, marketing, and health management for native chickens in Kapangan, Benguet to increase productivity leading to sustained native chicken production livelihood in the area.