Production potentials of native chickens (Gallus gallus domesticus L.) of Western Visayas, Philippines.

Poultry genetic resources diversity serves as a reservoir of genes adaptable to local conditions, production, resource utilization, and production that are compatible with consumer preferences for meat and egg products. This study was, therefore, conducted to determine the production potentials of native chickens in Western Visayas, Philippines. A total of 270 raisers were interviewed and 810 chickens were characterized. These numbers were divided equally among the provinces of Aklan, Antique, Capiz, Guimaras, Iloilo, and Negros Occidental. The data collected were analyzed using one-way analysis of variance and significant differences were determined using the Duncan's Multiple Range Test. Results show that native chickens from Aklan had the highest (P < 0.01) hatching percentage (93.10 ± 1.67 %) and oldest (P < 0.01) slaughter/marketing age (23.56 ± 1.03 weeks). Those from Guimaras had the biggest (P < 0.01) egg (42.69 ± 0.87 g) and heaviest slaughter/marketing weight (920.00 ± 22.72 to 924.44 ± 23.01 g); the shortest (P < 0.01) clutch interval (77.87 ± 4.14 days) was observed from those in Iloilo. Those from Antique had the highest (P < 0.01) survival rate from 1 day old to a slaughter/marketing age of 52.48 ± 1.83 %. The adult live weight ranged from 1.27 ± 0.04 to 1.62 ± 0.04 kg with those from Aklan as the lowest (P < 0.01) while those from Guimaras were the highest. Thus, the observed variations in reproductive and growth performances of native chickens from this region expressed their potentials for genetic improvement toward production.