Philippine Native Chicken:

The BANABA CHICKEN of CALABARZON

By: MARCO FELIX S. VALDEZ, BS Agriculture
Cavite State University

April 07, 2019

In 2017, it is recorded that poultry industry contributed PhP 59.3 billion to the

Gross National Income. There are 181.05 million heads in national inventory consisting

of 64.03 million heads of broiler and 35.66 million heads of layer. 81.36% of the chicken

population in the Philippines is our own native chicken. (PSA, 2017)

Native chickens are among the less recognized yet highly potential species in the

country. They have the ability to grow, adapt and reproduce despite adverse climatic

conditions and low production inputs. Compared to local breeds, endemic or indigenous

breeds are more resistant to parasites and diseases. It is also a part of socio-cultural
practices and solution to everyday challenges-from rituals, festivities, and recreational

activities. (PNAD, 2016)

Adaptability, disease resistance and contribution to gross national income are the

major qualities of Philippine native chickens (Lambio, 2000). Santiago, Lambio, and

Dimaranan (2016) and Bondoc (2008) identified the Philippine native chicken strains, that

include the Basilan of Mindanao, Darag of Western Visayas, Camarines of Bicol Region,

Paraokan of Palawan, Bolinao of Pangasinan, and the Banaba of Batangas.

Bondoc (2008) further elaborated that Banaba originated from Bauan and

Batangas City of Batangas province, and considered as a popular strain together with

Paroakan. According to FAO (2012), Banaba or Banaba Labuyo is reported to have

resistance against fowl pox and respiratory diseases. Also, hens are recognized as the

excellent mother. Lastly, these chickens are very popular as the game breed in the

country.

Besbes et al. 2007), locally adapted populations are often maintained in small populations

and the loss of these genetic resources is still happening by replacement with modern

industrial stocks. Most of these indigenous breeds are not well characterized, and

monitoring them as poultry genetic resources will be difficult.

In the Philippines, several studies were already conducted that focuses on

production, management, and profiling of Banaba native chicken strain. However, only

limited research studies have been conducted to determine the phenotypic and

biochemical characteristics of Banaba native chicken strain.

Banaba, The Native Chicken Strain of Batangas

In the Philippines, several studies was

already conducted that focuses on production,

management, and profiling of Banaba native chicken

strain. In the study conducted Dominguez et al.

(2017) Banaba raised under free-range system are

comparable in meat quality and lean color compared

to commercial broiler chicken. According to Lopez

(2016) 18 week old Banaba are more marketable compared to Paraokan and Bolinao

group, and total live weight and gross income of Banaba and Paraokan group where

greater than Bolinao group. Santiago et al. (2016) concluded that Banaba x Single Comb

Leghorn egg qualities may be difficult to improve through cross breeding. Lambio, Bondoc

and Grecia (1997) described that Banaba have the highest average daily gain during

brooding and growing stage, and lowest mortality during the brooding period compared

other four gentic group of Philippine Native Chickens. However, only limited research

studies have been conducted to determine biological characteristics of Banaba native

chicken strain.

Therefore, conducting such research specifically in the Province of Batangas, that

is believed to be the center of origin of Banaba is highly recommended. The study is in

line with the Department of Agriculture: Philippine Native Animal Development Admin.
Order No. 15 Series 2010 that seeks to develop policies and initiatives to develop

sustainable conservation, production and marketing of native animals. This study focuses

on determining variation between pre-assumed Banaba collected on the selected towns

of Batangas based on its phenotypic and biochemical profile.

Phenotypic Characterization of Native Chicken

According to FAO (2012)

phenotypic characterization is the

process of identifying characteristic or

observable attributes of an organism

to document diversity within and

between distinct breeds. Phenotypic

studies on non descript or traditional animal populations are important to determine the

animal genetic resources. This results to the standardization of the breeds nationally and

internationally.

There is wide variability in respect of performance in our native chickens. The

improvement of domestic animals including chickens to meet human needs is dependent

on variations (variations within and between strain). Such variation among individuals or

groups of chickens gives room and opportunity for breeding and selection (Faruque,

Siddiquee, Afroz, and Islam, 2010).

Intensive research studies about phenotypic characterization of other Philippine

native chickens have already been established. This include Darag (Cabarles, 2013),
Paraokan (Lopez et al., 2013), Basilan (Rivero, 2014), and Boholano (Salces et al., 2015).

Limited work pertaining to the qualitative and quantitative phenotypic profiles of Batangas

was carried out.

The performance of Banaba strain under intensive management condition was

recorded by Lambio et al, (1998) and Lambio (2000). The results were: day old weight

(26 g), adult male weight (2.44 kg), adult female weight (1.44 kg), age at first egg (157

day old), (egg weight 40g), egg shape index (73.7 g), hen’s day egg production (25.4),

fertility % (86.6%), and average daily gain (10.3 g/day).

According to Bondoc (2008) Banaba strain have a single comb (comb type) , bright

red (earlobe color), slate color (feet color), reddish yellow with black tail and wing feather

(male plumage color), brown like a red jungle fowl (female plumage color), and bright

orange (hackles color).

Biochemical Characterization of Native Chicken

In native chickens, Roxas, Villanueva, and Lambio (1997) started conducting

research about the protein and isoenzyme polymorphisms of five genetic groups of native

chicken and results shows that indigenous chicken of Batangas and Laguna have high

genetic identity, meaning they have higher degree of differentiation. Lambio and Barrion

(1998) also studied protein polymorphism and noted that banaba have 55% pre albumin

and 55% in Transferrin.

Biochemical parameters provide valuable information about the physiological and

habitat conditions of animals for disease assessments (Hernandez et al., 1990). A study

implies that blood parameters could serve as a baseline data, which could be exploited
in the diagnosis of healthy chickens, combating diseases, improvement of the desirable

breeds as well as for designing appropriate breeding strategies for poultry birds in the

country. (Dutta, Islam, Kabir, 2013)

Recent studies has been conducted to determine haematological and biochemical

profiles of chickens. The haematological profile parameters include total counts (TC) of

Red Blood Cell (RBC) count, White Blood Cell (WBC), platelets, haemoglobin percentage

(Hb%) and ESR and differential counts (DC) of WBC included neutrophils, eosinophils,

lymphocytes, monocytes and basophils. While vital biochemical parameters are blood

sera such as cholesterol, calcium, glucose, creatinine and urea.

Based on the results of the finding of Dutta et al. ( 2013) the hematological profile

of the exotic and indigenous chicken breed of Bangladesh are: RBC count (2.42±0.086

mg/dl), WBC count (2.30±0.03 mg/dl), and platelet count (43.38±0.873 mg/dl). While

Kalita et al (2018) study on blood analysis of broiler and indigenous chicken of India were:

total cholesterol (180.91±6.49 mg/dl) and total protein (4.36±0.05 mg/dl). And lastly,

Iritanti et al (2014) data results on native chicken of Indonesia biochemical profile are:

High-density lipoprotein (12.20±3.06 mg/dl), Low-Density Lipoprotein (158.07±8.84

mg/dl), Very Low Density Lipoprotein (19.39±0.60 mg/dl) and Tryglyceride (106.7 ± 13.6

mg/dl)
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