BACKGROUND Zoologically, the native chicken belongs to the genus Gallus of the family Phasiane.

The domestic chicken is simply called Gallus domesticus. The wild ancestors of the domestic chicken probably originated in the South East Asia and four species of these white Jungle fowls are still known in the area. There are: Gallus gallus, the red jungle fowl, Gallus layette, the Ceylones jungle fowl; Gallus sonnerati, the gray jungle fowl; and Gallus various, the black or green jungle fowl. However, the red jungle fowl has the widest distribution of the wild species and may well be the chief ancestor of the modern breeds.

DESCRIPTION Darag is a general term used of the Philippines native chicken strain indigenous to and most dominant in Western Visayas, Panay, Negros and Guimaras Island. It evolved from the Red Jungle Fowl. The male locally called Labuyo or Alimbuyog has red wing and hackle and black feathers and tail. The female, also called Darag, is typically yellowish-brown. The comb is single; the earlobe is whitish and the shank gray for both male and female. The adult male weighs an average of 1.3 kg while the female weighs an average 1.0 kg.

STAGES OF DEVELOPMENT 1. Mature Darag hens, called breeders, lay eggs. 2. Eggs will hatch from 18-21 days 3. Chicks go through brooding stage from the first week to the twentieth day 4. From 21-45 days, chicks go through the hardening stage. During hardening, chicks are prepared for the rugged conditions of the environment, thus improving the livability of the chicks. 5. Hardened chicks are then left to grow in the field, scratching for worms and anything that fancy them. 6. At age 75-120 days, the chickens are mature and ready for slaughter.

BENEFITS 1. Good source of livelihood and additional income. The Darag is best known for its unique flavor, taste and texture of meat that is preferred by most consumers. This makes it a commercially lucrative commodity. This distinct taste of the native chicken can be attributed to the presence of free amino acids in their bodies like aspartic acid (which among the building blocks of protein, helps the chicken grow muscles faster) and glutamic acid. 2. Low maintenance cost and adaptability to free-range management These chickens are left in the fields to feed for themselves, leaving minimal inputs of feeds and housing management. 3. High resistance to disease compared to commercial breeds. The natural selection process of native chicken under local environment caused it to develop patterns of behavior that allows them to survive and reproduce even in the most marginal environment and with minimal management intervention. 4. Good source of protein-rich food Aside from having chicken meat and eggs, always ready in the backyard for consumption, these are also proven to be good source of protein.