PHENOTYPIC CHARACTERIZATION OF NATIVE CHICKEN IN PALAWAN, PHILIPPINES

Abstract

Phil J Vet Anim Sci 2013 39(2):147-156

Three hundred and one native chickens, consisting of 199 hens and 102 roosters, from three regions of Palawan were randomly sampled to describe the morphological characteristics and measure the morphometric characteristics of native chickens in Palawan, Philippines. Results showed variations in the morphological characteristics of native chickens in Palawan. However, it is noted that Palawan native chickens were predominantly of yellow shanks, white skin, red earlobes and red plumage pattern. Comb was mostly of the single type in hens while roosters showed rose comb type. Body length, shank length and wingspan were not significantly different among native hens and among native roosters in the three regions of Palawan. On the other hand, chest circumference of hens and roosters in the southern region was significantly larger than those in the northern and central regions of Palawan.