The birds were finally domesticated around 4000 years ago, when four species of jungle fowl were
selectively-bred
over time. Of these, the Red Jungle Fowl (Gallus gallus) became the forerunner of the Domestic Chicken (Gallus
domesticus), which has now split into some 350 recognized breeds.
The Philippines, a Southeast Asian archipelago of 7641 islands, is one of the countries where Labuyo or wild Red
Jungle Fowl still thrive. Centuries of crossing these spirited wild birds with imported breeds has created several major
breeds, with many more in the process of being genetically purified and internationally recognized. Though over half
of the country’s chickens hail from imported lineages selected for their superior growth and egg-laying capabilities,
the Philippine Statistics Authority estimated in April 2019 that native chickens still account for 44% or 82.84 million of
the 184.88 million chickens in the country.
Banaba
In a country absolutely crazy over fighting cocks, this breed is renowned as the original Filipino fighting bird. A 1930
article by Leon Gardner on cockfighting in the Philippines describes this plucky pugilist. “The best-known and most
desired gamecock in these Islands is the Banaba, a black-breasted red cock with a black beak, legs and toes. It
originates from Southern Luzon. Good fighters, those that have won a number of contests sell for remarkably high
prices.”
The breed is thought to originate from Batangas, a prosperous province south of the capital of Manila. As stated
above, individuals sport red to yellow plumage (though all-black birds also exist), a large head with a single comb and
matching red earlobes, red or orange hackles, an upright black tail, plus black wings typically held close to the body.
These birds are high-spirited and capable of impressive flight. Roosters register an average wingspan of 42
centimeters with hens being slightly smaller at 37 centimeters. The average mature weight is about 1.49 kilogrammes
for roosters and 1.06 to 1.20 kilogrammes for hens. Hens are protective and efficient mothers. According to FAO
(2012), Banaba chickens are resistant to fowl pox and other respiratory diseases. As a good fighter, layer and broiler,
this breed definitely has a lot going for it.
Bolinao
Hailing from Pangasinan, a coastal region north of Manila, this breed shows fine potential either as broiler or layer
stock. Plumage color varies widely, but reds and browns are the norm, with the occasional jet-black bird cropping up.
The somewhat drab plumage is paired with a red comb, earlobes and hackles. Excellent free-range fowl, they require
minimal inputs.
The Bolinao
Darag
This chicken breed originates from Panay Island in the Western Visayas, near the world-famous beaches of Boracay.
It is rapidly rising in popularity for very good reason. The typical plumage for roosters, locally
called Labuyo or Alimbuyog, is a deep red hackle and wings, plus ebony feathers and a matching black tail, though
other color morphs are seen. Hens have sandy or yellowish-brown plumage. Cocks weigh an average of 1.3
kilogrammes while hens reach about 1.1 kilogrammes. Known for their economical feeding habits, Darag chickens
are ready for harvest after around 10 weeks. Traditionally used for the region’s famed Inasal or barbecued chicken or
the more ubiquitous Filipino Tinola or chicken soup, the breed offers distinctively-lean, smoky and flavourful meat.
The Darag
Joloano
Another breed used mostly for cockfighting, the Joloano is a heavyset bird thought to have originated in Mindanao,
the southernmost island group in the Philippines. Also called the Basilan, it has an impressive and sturdy bearing,
with a unique ramrod posture which gives it an immediate height advantage over most of its game-fowl opponents.
Adult cocks weight about 2.20 kilogrammes while mature hens reach about 1.50 kilogrammes. Roosters sport deep
orange plumage with a predominantly black tail, occasionally speckled white. A plain head features a pea comb for
both cocks and hens. Hens are predominantly a dull buff brown with pale yellow legs. Joloano chickens reach a
kilogramme after about three months.
The Joloano
Paraoakan
This is the largest heritage chicken breed in the Philippines, with mature cocks averaging 2.5 kilogrammes and hens
at 1.9 kilogrammes. Originally hailing from Malaysia, the breed was brought to the Philippine island of Palawan in the
14th century by Arab explorers. Generally black in color and sporting particularly long legs, Sabungeros or cock-
fighters make use of the Paraoakan’s size for cockfights, being the breed of choice for the Western Philippines.
Sporting a bigger body, longer neck and a larger head than other native breeds, many individuals feature pale yellow
legs, plus a black tail with contrasting white feathers at the base. The largest individuals top out at over five
kilogrammes and show immensely-strong musculature. While offering good, tough meat, the breed is still traditionally
thought-of as a fighter instead of food.
The Paraokan
.
Camarines
The Camarines chicken breed originated from Bicol, particularly in the Camarines area. The Camarines chicken is
closely similar to Barred Plymouth Rock in color only it has a reddish barred plumage. Camarines are one of the
tallest and largest native chicken breeds next to Paraoakan.
Camarines
Although Camarines is bigger, taller, and heavier compared to other native chicken breeds, it is the least popular and
one reason could be the rarity of its pure breed. Some groups in Bicol are trying to populate the pure Camarines
breed to conserve their local heritage chicken breed.
