Zampen Native Chicken

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December 2017 | Native Chicken Issue
Department of Science andTechnology (DOST)
Philippine Council forAgriculture,Aquatic and Natural Resources
Research and Deveopment (PCAARRD)
DOST-PCAARRD
ZamPen
Native Chicken
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S CORNER
Celebrating life with the gains
of science and technology
TAMPOK PATOK
The ZamPen Native Chicken in focus
FIESTAVAL
ZamPen Native Chicken FIESTA:
A celebration of hope and progress for
the country’s native chicken industry
TEKNO SAKA
Reinventing native chicken
production with proper breeding
and hatchery management
KAYA KO, KAYA MO
To freedom and farming: Providing
livelihood to the inmates of the
San Ramon Penal Colony
MEDIA SIYENTISTA
• ZamPen: New native chicken
• Native Zamboanga chicken offers
good livelihood resource
• Sustainability of ZamPen native
chicken production

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Celebrating life with the gains
of science and technology
Fiestas or feasts in the Philippines are held as a form of
thanksgiving for a bountiful harvest and for a peaceful and abundant
living—a goal that has always been pursued by the country’s
agricultural sector.
Fiesta celebrations can help in showcasing the many gains of
science and technology (S&T) with its wide array of outputs from
food delicacies, processed food products, wines, grains, fruits,
vegetables, and even furniture, which are sold everywhere during
such festivities.
With fiestas’synonymity with prosperity and abundance, the
Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources
Research and Development of the Department of Science and
Technology (DOST-PCAARRD) adopts the Farms and Industry
Encounters through the Science andTechnology Agenda (FIESTA),
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S CORNER
as a strategy to push the transfer and
commercialization of regional S&T-based
products to their target markets nationwide.
As a technology promotion strategy,
FIESTA holds various activities such as
exhibition, product display, technology
matching, technology fora, promotional
competitions, and other ancillary activities
to increase the presence and demand for
regional technologies.With FIESTA, PCAARRD
provides the venue for matching the
technologies with their potential adopters. It

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showcases value adding ventures on these technologies made
through the intervention of science and technology.
Since FIESTA is held mostly in the countryside, it is seen
as a means of inspiring more meaningful and worthwhile
local policies and legislations in support of small and medium
enterprises that are dependent on the agri-aqua industry. One
of such interesting enterprises is native chicken production.
Native chicken is known for its taste, flavor, and texture
and its prominence as a source of high quality meat. It is
not surprising, therefore, why native chicken production is
considered as an integral part of farming in the Philippines.
With the vast potential of native chicken and its attending
challenges, PCAARRD crafted the Industry Strategic S&T
Program (ISP) for Native Chicken.The program primarily
addresses two major challenges such as unstable supply of
slaughter native chickens and high mortality rate. It also looks
into how the country’s native chickens can be improved for
the benefit of rural farmers in Regions 5, 6, 7, and 9, which are
known for their native chicken breed.
True-to-type breeding populations of‘Camarines’in Bicol,
‘Boholano’in Bohol,‘Darag’in Panay Island, and‘ZamPen’
native chicken in Zamboanga Peninsula were developed
under the program, together with the appropriate free range
management technologies for these breeds.
Information on pricing and marketing as well as on
current policy support systems was also generated under the
PCAARRD adopts “Farms and Industry Encounters through the
Science and Technology Agenda” or FIESTA, as a strategy
to promote regional S&T-based technologies and
products to their target users and
markets nationwide.
program for native chicken producers and policy makers.
With the development of ethnobotanical anthelmintics
for gastro-intestinal parasites, the program has also addressed
the high cost of commercial veterinary anthelmintics and their
unavailability in the countryside.
Local production of oil-emulsion Newcastle Disease (NCD)
vaccines was also pursued under the program to control the
annual NCD outbreaks that cause about 90% mortality in
infected native chicken flock.
PCAARRD congratulates theWestern Mindanao
Agriculture and Aquatic Resources Research and Development
Consortium (WESMAARRDEC) in the active promotion of
ZamPen Native Chicken as an additional source of livelihood in
the Zamboanga Peninsula.
We hope that the ZamPen Native Chicken FIESTA has
inspired the participants, especially the native chicken
producers/growers, as well as potential raisers, to engage
in native chicken production as another meaningful and
productive farming activity enriched with science and
technology.
REYNALDOV. EBORA
Acting Executive Director
DOST-PCAARRD

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TAMPOK PATOK
Any Filipino gourmet will readily attest to native chicken’s
fine qualities. Its unique taste, flavor and texture, and health
benefits, make it a fine choice for most consumers. It is,
therefore, not surprising if the demand for it, especially by
institutional buyers, continually increases.
Because of native chickens’vast potential and the
attending challenges in the industry, PCAARRD crafted the
Industry Strategic S&T Program (ISP) for Native Chicken.
True-to-type breeding populations of ‘Camarines’ in
Bicol, ‘Boholano’ in Bohol,‘Darag’in Panay Island,
and ‘ZamPen’ native chicken in Zamboanga Peninsula were
developed under the program.This issue of the FIESTA
Magazine focuses on the ZamPen native chicken.
ZamPen native chicken derived its name from its
geographical origin, the Zamboanga Peninsula. It was
developed by theWestern Mindanao State University (WMSU)
in collaboration with PCAARRD.
A male ZamPen native chicken has reddish black
plumage, while the female has black with occasional white
specks. Both have gray shank, pea comb, red earlobe, and
orange iris. In terms of phenotypic characteristics, the male
The ZamPen Native Chicken
in FocusRicardo R. Argana

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surpasses the female in all quantitative traits, such as average
body weight, height, body length, shank length, chest
circumference, wing span, and age at maturity.
The ZamPen native chicken is known for its tender meat,
sweet flavor, ability to grow faster than other native chickens
in the Philippines, ability to do well in free range conditions,
uniform physical characteristics, predictable performance, and
its ability to produce more eggs.
WMSU has breeding stocks for farmers who might be
interested in raising these chickens. But farmers who are
planning to raise ZamPen native chickens are advised not to
interbreed them with other native chickens in the Philippines
as this will lead to mongrelisation, thus laying to waste the
more than 10 years of research to make them suitable and
profitable for the farmers in the region.
Pullets can be bought from theWMSU for P400, while
ready to breed roosters can be bought for P500.To raise at
least 1,000 chicks of the ZamPen native chickens, a farmer will
need an initial capital of P94,000 to P100,000. Within three
months, it is possible for farmers to realize a net income of
P23,000, or a return on investment of approximately 24%.

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FIESTAVAL
A celebration of hope and progress for the
country’s native chicken industry
It took ten years of research work before ZamPen native
chicken was developed and no doubt it was worth the wait for
the residents of Zamboanga Peninsula.
ZamPen native chicken, which was purified from the
native Joloano chicken in the region, can be a lucrative source
of livelihood for the local farmers.
To promote ZamPen native chicken to the residents,
primarily those who are engaged in micro, small, and medium
enterprises (MSMEs),WESMAARRDEC,WMSU, and PCAARRD
organized the FIESTA for ZamPen native chicken.
FIESTA is PCAARRD’s modality designed to bridge farmers
and the MSMEs through a science and technology-based
platform.
Held for two days at the KCC Mall de Zamboanga on
November 2016, the ZamPen Native Chicken FIESTA involved
farmers, the academe, and government agencies. It adopted
the theme, ManokZamPen:LivelihoodOptionforeveryJuanin
theregion.
Rose Anne M. Aya
ZamPen
Native
Chicken
FIESTA

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Considered as the first FIESTA held in a
commercial establishment, the event had the
goal of attracting more farmers and MSMEs to
ZamPen native chicken production through the
introduction of various technology options.The
two-day event highlighted a media conference,
business forum, signing of a memorandum of
agreement (MOA), and cooking, poster making,
and photography contests.
Students from the universities in
Zamboanga City demonstrated their creativity
and skills in concocting native chicken dishes at
theWMSU College of Home Economics. Samples
of these dishes, which included chicken curry,
native chicken salad, and roasted native chicken,
were also offered to FIESTA attendees at the KCC
Mall de Zamboanga.
(Left photo) Hon. Ma. Isabelle Salazar-Climaco, Zamboanga City mayor; (right photo,
from left to right) Dr.Teresita A. Narvaez,WESMAARRDEC Director; Mr. Emmanuel
N. Narvaez, Bureau of Corrections OIC-Superintendent; Dr. Edwin C.Villar, PCAARRD
Deputy Executive Director for R&D; and Mr. Juan Climaco P. Elago, Zambaonga City
Councilor during the opening rites of the ZamPen Native Chicken FIESTA.
A replica rooster and hen of the ZamPen
native chicken breed at the exhibit area.

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Director Marita A. Carlos of PCAARRD’s Applied Communication
Division with the team from Josefina H. Cerilles State
College–Dumingag Campus who placed first in the
Native Chicken Cooking Challenge 2016.
Mr. Julian Payne, president of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce,
shared relevant entrepreneurial strategies in his presentation,
“Best Practices and Sharing of Plans on Native Chicken
for Adoption and Commercialization.”

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(Clockwise) Entries to the poster-making contest displayed at the exhibit area; the
winning entry in the photography contest; Dr.Villar speaking during the press
conference; and PCAARRD officials and guests during the MOA signing for the
project, Piloting a Profitable and Sustainable Commercial Scale ZamPen Native
Chicken Breeding Operation.

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Students from different schools from Zamboanga City and
neighboring provinces like Basilan and Sibugay participated
in the photography and poster-making contests.Their
masterpieces were displayed at the event area during the
second and final day of the event.
The signing of the MOA for the project, Piloting a
Profitable and Sustainable Commercial Scale ZamPen Native
Chicken Breeding Operation also took place during the event.
WMSU as technology owner, and J.H. Cerilles State College-
Dumingag Campus (JHCSC) and the San Ramon Prison and
Penal Farm (SRPPF) as technology beneficiaries, signed the
agreement.
Underthepartnership,JHCSCwillprovidethemanpowerto
managethebreederandslaughternativechickens,whileWMSU,
throughaseriesoftrainings,willequipJHCSC’sstaffwiththe
technologyonZamPennativechickenproductionincludingpricing
andmarketing.WMSUwillalsoprovideinputssuchasfeeds,
vaccines,medications,technicalassistance,andsupportservices
neededintheoperationoftheproject.SRPPF,ontheotherhand,
willprovideJHCSCwithqualitybreederandgrowerstocks.
The project is a component of the native chicken program,
Purification, Improvement and Sustainable Utilization of
Native Chicken Strains in Bohol, Bicol, and Zamboanga
Peninsula.
Farmers, potential raisers, representatives from the
academe, and other government agencies attended the S&T
business forum, which tackled several topics on ZamPen
native chicken production.
Testimonials of Natalia Jambaro, a private farm owner
who first adopted the ZamPen native chicken technology
and that ofWilfredo B. Castillo, Bureau of Corrections
Administrative staff, on behalf of SRPPF inmates, highlighted
the forum.
“With ZamPen native chicken production technology,
inmates will have a source of livelihood after they have served
their sentence,”Castillo said.“Inmates who are about to be
released will be given breeder stocks so that they can start a
new life,”he added.
(L–R)Wilfredo Castillo, administrative aide at SRPPF and
Dr. Mirlabel E. Ho, president ofWMSU as they talk about
the ZamPen native chicken project.

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Native chicken is a product of
indiscriminate cross breeding between
domesticated stocks that descended
from wild ancestors and introduced
exotic breeds.These breeds are able to
survive and reproduce under natural
environment with no known infusion
of exotic blood during its recent past.
Found in the backyard of most
rural households, native chicken is
a mixture of different breeds. It is
preferred over the same products from
commercial poultry because of its taste
leanness, pigmentation, and suitability
to Filipino special dishes. Because of
this, native chicken meat is priced
higher than chicken meat coming from
commercial poultry.
Native chicken breeds are well
known for their adaptability to local
agro-climatic condition, hardiness,
ability to utilize farm-by-product
Reinventing
native chicken production
with ZamPen Native Chicken
Reinventing
native chicken production
with ZamPen Native Chicken
Ricardo R. Argana
TEKNO SAKA
believed to have descended from the
domesticated red jungle fowl through
a long process of natural selection.This
process has led to the development of
unique characteristics and behavioral
patterns, which enabled it to enhance
its fitness to the natural environment.
Native chicken is an integral
part of farming in the Philippines as
they are the main source of eggs and
meat for backyard farmers. Its meat is

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and resistance to diseases.They are
also good breeders, foragers, and
efficient mothers as they possess good
mothering ability.
Some of the native chickens, which
are documented in the Philippines are
the‘Bolinao’in Pangasinan;‘Camarines’
from Bicol;‘Paraoakan’from Palawan;
‘Darag’from Panay Island;‘Banaba’
from Batangas; and the‘ZamPen’ from
the Zamboanga Peninsula.
In the recently concluded ZamPen
Native Chicken FIESTA, which was held
at KC Mall, Zamboanga City, experts in
native chicken production encouraged
the forum participants, particularly the
of the poultry industry,”the experts
said as they backed up the claim with
facts and figures.
Native chicken production
requires low capital investment,
uses a local resource-based poultry
production system, and requires simple
management. Most importantly,
its productivity can be enhanced by
science and technology interventions
and an organized production and
marketing system.
The experts explained the new
concept of science and technology-
based production of native chicken as
an enterprise, the technology options
farmers, to engage in ZamPen native
chicken production.
Serving as resource persons during
the forum were Dr. Synan S. Baguio,
Supervising Science Research Specialist
and Officer-in-Charge, Livestock
Research Division (LRD), PCAARRD;
Mr. Alfredo Ryenel M. Parungao,
Science Research Specialist ll of
the same division; and Ms. Paterna
Jamandron-Saavedra, Associate
ProfessorV,WMSU-College of
Agriculture.
“Native chicken production is a
worthy investment being the most
competitive and sustainable sub-sector
Dr. Synan S. Baguio, Livestock Research Division (LRD) Officer-in-Charge, and Mr. Alfredo
Ryenel M. Parungao, Science Research Specialist II of LRD, discuss range management
protocols and feeding strategies for a suitable nativen chicken production.

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for breeding, selection, and hatchery
management, including pricing and
marketing.
Breeding purified native
chicken, selection, and hatchery
management
Breeding as applied to native
chicken production is the reproduction
or multiplication of the said chicken
breed based on defined criteria or
based on specific objectives. Selection
criteria are primarily based on the
physical attributes and performance of
the breed.The physical aspects include
plumage pattern and color, body
shape and form, type of comb, color of
the shank, and body size and weight,
among others.The performance
aspect, on the other hand, include
growth rate, weight gain, and egg
Ms. Paterna Jamandron-Saavedra, Associate ProfessorV at the
WMSU-College of Agriculture, discusses breeder native
chicken and hatchery management.

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production.
A male ZamPen native chicken
has reddish black plumage, while the
female has black with occasional white
specks. Both have gray shank, pea
comb, red earlobe, and orange iris.
Dr. Baguio and Ms. Saavedra
explained that breeding ZamPen male
with ZamPen female produce ZamPen
chicks; breeding with no selection
or using different strains results
in mongrel breeds; while purified
breeders crossed with mongrels results
in mongrelized native chicken.
Once the native chicken is purified,
it is important to maintain its features
to avoid its being mongrelized.The
pure lines have high uniformity, very
predictable production performance,
and consistent product quality. As
such, they are highly preferred by
consumers, are offered premium price,
and have high potential for business.
Establishment of initial
foundation stocks
The establishment of initial
foundation stocks starts with the
selection of the eggs. It is wise to
check the egg shape with the highest
frequency.
Synchronized natural incubation
can be practiced if artificial incubator
is not available.This is done by setting
50–60 eggs in 4–5 broody hens to
hatch 40–50 chicks at the same time.
When the chicks are hatched,
select those of the same color patterns.
Do a second round of selection when
the chicks are 75 days old. Select chicks
that weigh more than the average.
Do final selection when the chickens

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reach sexual maturity, that is when they
are 120 days of age.Those with plumage
color and pattern that are similar to the
parents and weighing more than the
average weight of the flock are selected.
Hens that lay the most number of eggs
are considered as the potential parents of
the succeeding generation.
The breeding process
In the selection for the
establishment of initial breeder stocks,
the most predominant type from the
current population in the area is selected.
The initial stocks are grouped into
breeding families of ten hens and two
roosters to manage inbreeding.
The weight of each hen and rooster
in a breeding family is recorded and
computed for the average weights.Those
that weigh higher than the average
are selected and are provided with
appropriate markings or tags.They are
then let loose on range to breed and lay
eggs.

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Optimizing egg production
Egg production can be optimized
by collecting eggs from the nest
everyday, leaving only two dummy
eggs until the hens show the broody
behavior. Hens which show broodiness
should be dipped in cold water and
kept in a cage that is well lighted.They
are also fed with nutrient-dense feed
for 3–4 days.They can be released back
to the range yard when broodiness is
no longer observed.
The daily collection of eggs can
increase production by 20–40%.
Collected eggs are stored in a cool dry
place and are turned daily. Using a
pencil, mark the date when the egg is
laid.The eggs can be stored for 10 days
in elevated bamboo-made baskets
matted with banana leaves.
Housing for free-ranged native
chicken
Native chickens must be effectively
confined when needed.They must
be provided with housing for safety
against bad elements that may
adversely affect their production.
Mostly made of locally-available
light materials, the chicken house
must be well-ventilated but protected
against strong wind or inclement
weather.The houses must be provided
with roosts or perches, and feeder
and waterer. Houses for breeder flocks
must be installed with nests, which are
matted with marang, neem, or tanglad
leaves to prevent mites, and must be
left with two dummy eggs.The nest
must be cleaned daily.
The site must not be prone to
flooding, away from dense human
population and main roads, and
secured from harmful animals.
The surroundings of the chicken
houses must be planted with wind
breakers to protect the housing and
the chickens. Banana, fruit trees, and
many other plants can be used as wind
breakers.
Cleanliness should be strictly
maintained in and out of the house.
Remove dirt and feces as this is one
way of protecting the flock from
diseases and infestation of parasites.
Brooding native chicks
Brooding can be done either
through natural or artificial methods.
Hatching eggs by putting them
under a broody hen is called natural
incubation.The natural method
entails no additional cost for heating
and requires less management. It,
however, causes lower number of
eggs in terms of production and
uneven weight of chicks in addition
to other disadvantages.With natural
incubation, it is not possible to tell
when a hen will go broody. It cannot
also be guaranteed that a particular
hen will be a good mother. Since only
so many eggs can be fitted under one
hen, the number of eggs that can be
hatched is also limited.

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Artificial brooding—the hatching
of eggs by putting them in an
incubator—lowers chick mortality
by as much as 10%.The raiser can also
hatch eggs, whenever he/she wants
since there is no need to wait for the
hen to be broody. It is also possible
to hatch as many eggs as desired
depending on the size of the incubator.
The raiser, however, has to worry about
the additional cost for heating and
feeding. Incubators also usually hatch
out a lower percentage of eggs than
what broody hens do.
During the brooding stage, chicks
can be fed with formulated chick
starter up to three weeks old. Gradual
shifting to grower feed can be done
at two weeks after brooding. During
the hardening stage, chicks can be fed
with grower feed. Gradual shifting to
feed for mature chickens for hardening
can be done starting at 60 days old.
Feed for mature native chickens is
a mixture of commercial feeds with
locally available feeds (e.g., rice or corn
bran, grains, cassava meal, leaf meals,
kitchen scraps, etc.).
The chicks should be kept in
the artificial brooder until they are
three weeks old and are ready for
hardening.This is the time when the
chicks are acclimatized to range yard
condition and lasts when the chicks are
45 days old.
Healthcare
Health care and disease
prevention are essential in a successful
native chicken production. An
important consideration along this
line is ensuring health for the chickens,
the raisers, consumers, and the
environment
Experts explain that good
health care practice is good genetics,
good feeding, and good biosecurity
management put together.The
use of inorganic chemical inputs is
discouraged unless it is necessary.
In terms of biosecurity, raisers
must be prudent in preventing the
introduction of pathogens or disease-
causing organisms into the farm.
Vectors of pathogenic organisms may
include humans, stray animals and
pets, birds, rodent, and contaminated
materials.
Disease prevention is
accomplished through vaccination
against viral disease such as New Castle
Disease (NCD), fowl cholera, and fowl
pox.This can also be done through
enhancing immune competence of
the birds and minimizing predisposing
factors through proper feeding and
good management.
Pricing and marketing
Consumers’high awareness in food
safety triggers the growing preference
for organic or naturally produced food.
With this trend goes the growing
preference for native chicken meat,
which is known for its unique taste
and flavor. Aside from ordinary buyers,
there are also institutional buyers that
require high volumes of native chicken
meat.These include supermarkets,
restaurants, food processors, and
hospitals.There are also emerging
markets for day-old and hardened
chicks and ready-to-lay pullets.
Traditional pricing and marketing
of native chicken is dictated by traders
and/or consumers. Current trends
suggest the possibility of producers
participating in establishing standard
marketing and pricing systems
that are reasonable and fair to all
participants in the trading of day-
old chicks, hardened chicks, breeder
native chickens, and slaughter native
chickens.

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Native chicken production is a worthy
investment being the most competitive
and sustainable sub-sector of
the poultry industry.
“
”

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KAYA MO, KAYA KO
Zamboanga Peninsula residents and farmers regard
livestock farming as their bread and butter—now, it has
become a link to the outside world for the inmates of the San
Ramon Penal Colony. Encouraged by the livelihood potentials,
the management of the penal colony, with the support of
the Bureau of Corrections, implements a small development-
oriented initiative to share the results of R&D on native
chicken production through a livelihood project.
Spearheaded by Dr.Teresita Narvaez fromWMSU, the
project titled, EvaluationoftheSustainabilityandProfitability
ofZamPenNativeChickenProductionasSourceofLivelihood
inRuralCommunities, adopts the technologies and protocol
developed byWMSU on the management of the ZamPen
or locally known as‘joloano’chickens. These technologies
include hatching to becoming a day old to hardened until
the birds are ready for breeding; selecting and purifying
the strain; and developing the health protocol and feeding
management system.
Beneficiaries to the project were the inmates (known
as‘kosas’) who were about to finish their sentences. Mostly
coming from the National Bilibid Prison in Muntinlupa City,
Alabang, Metro Manila, the inmates were convicted of crimes
such as robbery, murder, and kidnapping—all which are now
believed to be a thing of the past.
As if S&T proved to be catalyst for a new life, the project
aimed to give the inmates enough skills and knowledge to
make it on their own when their sentences have been served.
The kosas and cooperators, most of whom have raised
chickens before, are trained on the improved ways of raising
native chickens.They were pleased to get the chance to not
only redeem themselves, but to also get a chance to provide
for their families whom they left temporarily in their stint in
the big house.
As the inmates become free, the project will make
arrangements that a starter package of breeders be their
parting gift to turn over a new leaf.WMSU, on the other hand,
promised to see the project through and to give support to the
inmates and make sure supply is maintained while meeting
the standards set.
The project has given the inmates a whole new
perspective in life after imprisonment. Fifteen inmates work
in the farms, five of whom are from minimum security who
are allowed to live out of the farm. As part of their daily tasks
in the farm, the inmates tend to the chicken pastures and
prepare the chicken’s forages and do wet feeding, usually
a mixture of feeds, chopped leafy vegetables, jackfruit,
and squash.They were also provided trainings on range
enhancement and proper caring for the joloanos.
As one inmate put it, he was very fortunate enough
to have been selected to be part of the ZamPen project,
“Natutunannaminglahatkungpaanomag-alagang
manok.Nalamannaminkunganongklasengmanok‘yung
mangingitlognaat…yungbosesngnagugutomnamanok.
Alamnarinnaminanoyungmagandanguringmanokna
pwedenatingi-breeding (sic) [We learned how to raise
chickens and identify the chickens’conditions.We also learned
the best varieties for breeding.]”
Another inmate shared, “Mganatutunannamin: selection
saitlog,pag-incubate, atpag-hatching [We learned how to
select, incubate, and hatch eggs.]”
“Natutunannaminditopwedenamindalhinhanggang
sapag-layanamin.Pwedenaminggawingpang-hanapbuhay
[We can take everything we learned here when our sentences
are served and use that knowledge to build a new livelihood],”
he added.
For the inmates from the San Ramon Penal Colony, this
was a most welcome and rewarding gift.To have something
to look forward to is great motivation to work harder and go
down the right path this time around.Through S&T, projects
employing the inmates of other correctional facilities have
become an inspiration and hopes to give second chances not
just to freedom, but to life as well.
To freedom and farming:
Providing livelihood to the inmates
of the San Ramon Penal Colony
Katrina MarieV. Mananghaya

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ZamPen native chicken production
at the San Ramon Penal Colony.

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MEDIA SIYENTISTA*
WMSU has developed a new breed of native chicken it
calls ZamPen, highlighting its origin, Zamboanga Peninsula.
The native chicken was on display for the first time and
Mayor Ma. Isabel Climaco-Salazar is promoting its breeding in
time for the city’s fiesta in October.
Funding is ready for 12 organizations to raise ZamPen,
Salazar said and she attests to the delicious taste of the
ZamPen‘jamon de manok.’
Ten years of research went to the development of ZamPen
at the university where a“purification”process ensured that
ZamPen is not a mongrel, or a mix of different breeding lines.
“We are looking for a farmer or entrepreneur who has the
capability and resources to invest, such as capital and land,
and we are willing to share the technology,”said Dr.Teresita
A. Narvaez,WMSUVice President for Resource Generation.
“ZamPen is ready for commercialization and adoption by
farmers and we have the breeder stocks.”
She cautions the breeding of the purified ZamPen should
not be mixed with other bloodlines that will bring it back to
mongrel status.To prevent this, a MaterialTransfer Agreement
is required for ZamPen adoptors to follow protocols.
WMSU sells the pullets (mature females ready to lay) for
P400 each and roosters (ready to breed) for P500 each.
PCAARRD estimates an initial capital investment of
P94,000 is required to raise 1,000 chicks. A positive net income
of P23,000 is realized on the third month, with a Return on
Investment of 24 percent. PCAARRD funded most of the P26-
million research on ZamPen.
WMSU and PCAARRD signed a Memorandum of
Agreement recently for the San Ramon Prison and Penal
Colony and the Josefina H. Ceriles State College to pilot a
profitable commercial-scale ZamPen Native Chicken Breeding
Operation.
Soon-to-be-released inmates at the prison, about
40 kilometers from the city center, will raise the native chickens
and learn a livelihood for the time when freedom comes.They
will be given breeder stocks from the state college.
“We want to demonstrate that the technology works at
the farm level,”said Dr. Edwin C.Villar, PCAARRD Deputy
Director for R&D.
Dr. Mario Arriola, city veterinarian, said ZamPen will be
part of the mayor’s Security, Health and Education flagship
program that includes carabao milk production and backyard
hog-raising.
Raising native chicken is an additional source of income
for 8.5 million mostly rural Filipinos.
Because of their taste, flavor and less-fat, native chickens
are preferred for their meat and eggs by most Filipinos.The
perception is that native chickens are healthy; because of this,
they command higher prices, from 50% up to 100% higher
than commercial chickens.
“These special characteristics contribute to its niche
market seemingly unaffected by pressures from the
commercial layer and broiler market,”saidVillar, adding that
makes native chicken production an attractive investment
option for small and medium entrepreneurs.
A breeder farm will be set up in Davao to encourage
others to raise the ZamPen native chickens.
“The fast growth means tender meat compared to local
native chickens that mature to marketable size in seven
months or more, when the meat needs a lot of boiling,”he tells
Malaya.“The natural forage used as feed will be a lot cheaper
and will bring the cost down.”
In Iligan, native chicken sells for P150 a kilogram, live
weight; in Zamboanga, it is P180 liveweight, P250/kg dressed
in city markets.
*Each of the articles is a faithful reproduction as written by the cooperating media practitioners.
ZamPen: NEW Native chickenPaul Icamina

23. 23
Ignacio reckons the farm gate price should be attractive
to inasal sidewalk and chain operators and wet market
vendors. Money and time permits, he hopes to open a chicken
restaurant himself (on the menu:‘linagpang’or grilled native
chicken sautéed in garlic, onions and tomatoes and drenched
with coconut milk).
“The net profit is about P25 per native chicken sold,”he
says. Besides, it is a feature of the rural economy.
“It is a source of petty cash, a buffer during lean months
when harvests fail. It is an important part of rural assets.”
Compared to mongrel native chickens, a mix of different
breeding lines, pure ZamPen native chickens have uniform
physical characteristics, says Baguio.
“They have very predictable production performance,
consistent quality”he adds.“ZamPen native chickens have
high business potential.”
Egg production is one offshoot. Daily egg collection
increases egg production by 20 –40%, says Saavedra. So does
extending day length to 16 hours with artificial lighting.

24. 24
The native chickens in Zamboanga Peninsula (ZamPen) is
emerging as the Philippines’best performing native chicken,
PCAARRD said.
With the initial findings on the superiority of the ZamPen
native chicken, PCAARRD has launched a program to promote
native chicken arising among farmworkers and smallholder
farmers to supplement their meager, if not seasonal earnings.
Synan Baguio, director of the PCAARRD Livestock
Research Division, said they have already developed a batch
of ZamPen native chicken breed from which they would
produce and distribute native chickens throughout ZamPen
which covers Zamboanga City, and the provinces of
Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga del Sur and Zamboanga
Sibugay.
Native Zamboanga chicken
offers good livelihood sourceRainier Allan Ronda
The large-scale breeding of standard breed of the
ZamPen native chicken stock is being pursued withWMSU
andWESMAARRDEC.
Baguio said ZamPen native chicken raising can be
pursued by farmworkers in the small and large rubber and
fruit trees as well as coconut tree plantations spread out
over ZamPen, boosting their meager and seasonal income as
farmworkers.
“This is really for the local farmers and farmworkers.The
development of the native animals is biased for the small
rural farmers,”Baguio said.
With native chicken raising, there’s no need for fences
since raisers can just let the chickens roam in the farm, he
noted.

25. 25
Baguio said the cost of raising native chickens is low since
they have their natural behavior of foraging. He said native
chickens were also more disease-resilient.
The DOST-PCAARRD has conducted a comparative study
on native chickens from ZamPen, Panay Island, Bicol region,
and Bohol province.
It also developed a breed and free range production
protocol for the four native chicken strains, also as part of the
program to promote native chicken raising as an additional
livelihood for farmers throughout the country.
“We got the genotype that is predominant in the area
on the assumption that the reason why they’re so many is
because they fit in the environment, they survive well in the
environment,”Baguio toldThe Star.
Baguio said there was a need to develop a breed to
provide a ZamPen native chicken quality standard that will
assure breeders and the end-consumers of the quality they
are looking for in the native chicken meat.
“We feel that it’s the reason why no one is investing
to use our native genetic resources in building enterprises.
There will always be reluctance to put in capital because they
cannot ensure the quality of product they will be coming up
with,”Baguio said.
Baguio said native chicken meat also allows raisers and
sellers to command premium price, especially those who
organically raise the native chickens.
“Native chicken commands a higher price because of its
superior quality over commercial broilers,”Baguio said.

26. 26
A siginificant number of consumers appear to prefer
the meat of native chicken over that of commercial broilers
because of its unique taste, distinct flavor and texture,
presence of nutraceutical compounds, and lower fat content.
As they are free-range, native chickens are generally
perceived as free from antibiotics and other synthetic chemical
residues.
Given these advantages, a government research and
development consortium based in Zamboanga City led the
conduct of a two-day technology transfer activity in an effort
to promote ZamPen native chicken production as a source of
livelihood in the Zamboanga Peninsula.
The move also aims to inspire native chicken production
in the region.
Purified breed
The purified breed of ZamPen native chicken could yield
more eggs annually compared to the Joloano native chicken
and has lower mortality rate.
It is one of the four purified native chicken strains
developed in a project, which include Darag inWestern
Visayas, Camarines in Bicol, and Boholano in Bohol.
WESMAARRDEC gathered farmers engaged in native
chicken production as well as potential raisers to acquaint
them on ZamPen native chicken production.
Implemented byWMSU, the project is a component of a
native chicken program entitled Purification, Improvement
and Sustainable Utilization of Native Chicken Strains in Bohol,
Bicol, and Zamboanga Peninsula.
Sustainability of ZamPen
native chicken productionJulio P.Yap, Jr.

27. 27
WESMAARRDEC’s base agency, on the other hand, tackled
issues on breeder native chicken and hatchery management
and pricing and marketing strategies for ZamPen chicken,
respectively.
Gains of ZamPen
The gains of the ZamPen native chicken were boosted
by the testimonies of stakeholders, most notable of which
was that of Bureau of Corrections’administrative staff
Wilfredo B. Castillo.
Castillo narrated how ZamPen native chicken production
at the San Ramon Penal Farm in Zamboanga City has provided
the inmates with a productive activity and a livelihood
opportunity once they have served their sentence.
Native chicken production is considered to be the most
competitive and sustainable sub sector of the local poultry
industry owing to its numerous advantages such as low
capital investment, simple management system, and the
emergence of new markets, among other advantages.
Providing additional income for farmers and known as
a source of high quality meat, native chicken is considered to
be an important component of the country’s rural farming
system.
WMSU, as one of the implementing agency of the Native
Chicken Program funded by PCAARRD, has developed a
sustainable science and technology or S&T-based options to
native chicken improvement and profitable utilization for rural
farmers in Region-9 through development of technologies on
breeding and selection, generation of pricing and marketing
information and policy recommendation for the enhancement
of native chicken productivity and production efficiency.
This is expected to promote the native chicken
industry—capitalizing on its benefits and opportunities for
everyone.
It adopts the technologies and protocol developed by
WMSU on the management of the native chickens from
hatching, day-old, hardening, and up to the time until the
birds become ready for breeding; selecting and purifying
the strain; and developing the health protocol and feeding
management system.
Enriched with science and technology
This could be another meaningful and productive farming
activity that is enriched with science and technology.
The event dubbed“ZamPen Native Chicken FIESTA”was
initiated by the Los Baños, Laguna-based DOST-PCAARRD.
Briefly called as FIESTA, the term is the acronym for the
phrase“Farms and Industry Encounters through the Science
andTechnology Agenda.”
FIESTA aims to facilitate the flow of technology not
only to the farmers but also to the country’s micro, small
and medium enterprises for them to benefit from the
government’s R&D undertakings, thereby enabling them to
contribute more to economic development.
The ZamPen Native Chicken FIESTA 2016, which was
held at the KCC Mall de Zamboanga last November, served
as a major activity to commemorateWESMAARRDEC’s 29th
anniversary.
It adopted the theme,“Manok ZamPen: Livelihood Option
for Every Juan in the Region.”
The event also highlighted the S&T Business Forum which
tackled several topics on ZamPen native chicken production.
Dr. Synan S. Baguio, officer-in-charge of the Livestock
Research Division of PCAARRD, discussed the selection,
breeding, and production management of ZamPen Native
Chicken, while Mr. Alfredo Ryenel M. Parungao, of the same
division, discussed concerns on range management protocols
and feeding strategies for sustainable chicken production.
Dr. Paterna J. Saavedra, and Dr.Teresita A. Narvaez,
researchers from theWestern Mindanao State University,

28. 28
PCAARRD
Magazine is published by DOST-PCAARRD
as an off-shoot of the regional FIESTA.
Editor-in-Chief : Ricardo R. Argana
Managing Editor : Joel Eneristo A. Joven
Contributors : Rose Anne M. Aya
Paul Icamina
Katrina Marie V. Mananghaya
Rainier Allan Ronda
Julio P. Yap, Jr.
Photographers : Andres Serdan A. Dimasapit
Eric E. Perez
Editorial Assistant : Rose Anne M. Aya
Layout Artist : Katrina Marie V. Mananghaya
Production Manager : Marina T. de Ramos
Circulation Staff : Andres Serdan A. Dimasapit