What if you could start a business that’s more than just a way to earn money—a business that feeds your dreams, empowers your family, and strengthens your community?
Native chicken farming isn’t just about raising chickens. It’s about creating something extraordinary from something simple. It’s about taking a step toward financial freedom and leaving behind the fear of uncertainty. With native chickens, you’re not just building a farm—you’re building a story, a legacy.
Why Native Chicken Farming Is the Opportunity You’ve Been Waiting For
There’s something special about native chicken farming. It’s grounded in tradition, yet full of modern potential. This isn’t just a business; it’s a way to connect with nature, honor your heritage, and meet the growing demand for high-quality, locally sourced food.
Here’s why native chicken farming is a powerful starting point for anyone dreaming of a better future:
- Low Startup Costs: Forget the idea that you need a lot of money to start a native chicken farming business. A backyard, a simple chicken coop, and basic feed are enough to get you going.
- High Market Demand: People crave native chicken for its flavor, nutrition, and authenticity. It’s not just food—it’s an experience.
- Sustainability: Native chickens thrive naturally, with minimal intervention. They’re hardy, disease-resistant, and perfectly suited to local climates.
Why does this matter? Because starting small doesn’t mean staying small. A single chicken today can lead to a thriving native chicken farming business tomorrow if you’re willing to nurture it.
How to Build Your Dream Farm (One Step at a Time)
Let’s break this down. You don’t need fancy equipment or endless space to succeed. What you need is a plan, some courage, and the willingness to learn as you go.
Step 1: Create Their Home
Imagine your backyard, transformed into a safe haven for your chickens. It doesn’t take much:
- Housing: Let’s construct a cozy house measuring 5 meters by 6 meters, with a height of 2.5 meters from the ground up. We can use bamboo, poultry wire, or nets for the walls to keep it simple and rustic.
- Ranging Area: Give them space to roam. Chickens love to forage—it’s what makes their meat and eggs so special.
Pro Tip: Place the chicken coop under a tree for natural shade and let your chickens enjoy the fresh air.
Step 2: Choose Your Flock
Not all chickens are the same, and that’s a good thing. Each breed offers something unique.
- Darag: The choice for flavorful meat that commands a premium price.
- Banaba: Perfect for those looking to sell fresh, organic eggs.
- Paraokan: A versatile breed, excellent for both meat and eggs.
- Cebu, also known as manok bisaya, is a native chicken breed that’s popular for making the famous Filipino dish, chicken-inasal.
What’s your market? If you’re serving families who love traditional Filipino dishes like tinola or adobo, Darag is the way to go. If you’re catering to bakers or health-conscious individuals, Banaba’s consistent egg production is your best bet.
Step 3: Feed Them with Care
Feeding your chickens is like fueling your business. The better the input, the greater the output.
- Morning: Start with cracked corn or rice bran to give them energy.
- Evening: Add protein-rich grower crumble for growth and strength.
- All Day: Let them graze for grass and insects. Foraging is what makes their meat and eggs so nutritious and desirable.
Pro Tip: Scatter their feed in different spots to encourage movement and keep them active. A happy chicken is a productive chicken.
Step 4: Care for Their Health
Healthy chickens mean a healthy business. Protect your investment by staying proactive.
- Vaccination: Protect against common diseases like Newcastle Disease with vaccinations at 14 and 28 days old.
- Hardening Phase: Transition your chicks to a free-range system at 35 days to build their immunity.
- Natural Remedies: To keep your chicks healthy, deworm them between the 42nd and 45th day, and then every three months or if you see signs of parasites. People often use plants like bunga, ipil-ipil, atis, makabuhay, malunggay, and bayabas for this purpose. For bunga, just cut it into a few pieces and mix it with their feed. Soak makabuhay in their water, and remember that bayabas can help tackle worms, while atis acts as a good purgative. Also, if you’re dealing with intestinal issues, the pods from malunggay can be really effective.
Pro Tip: Be present. Check on your chickens daily. If one looks unwell, isolate it immediately to protect the flock.
Turning Your Chickens Into a Story People Want to Buy
Selling native chicken isn’t just about selling meat or eggs. It’s about telling a story. When people buy native chicken, they’re buying a piece of tradition, a taste of something real, and the assurance that their food was raised naturally.
How to Position Your Products:
- Flavor: Native chicken is perfect for beloved dishes like tinola and sinampalukan.
- Health Benefits: Lean meat with no artificial additives appeals to families and health enthusiasts.
- Tradition: Emphasize the cultural connection. Native chicken is more than food—it’s a celebration of heritage.
Multiple Income Streams: Maximize Your Profits
Think beyond selling whole chickens. Diversify your income:
- Egg Sales: 20 hens laying three clutches a year could earn you Php 12,000–18,000.
- Meat Sales: Fully grown chickens sell at Php 250–300/kg.
- Chick Sales: Hatch and sell chicks for Php 25–50 each. Even 200 chicks a year could add Php 5,000–10,000 to your income.
Pro Tip: Build relationships with local restaurants, specialty food stores, and organic markets. A loyal customer base is the foundation of consistent cash flow.
Overcoming Challenges
Every dream comes with obstacles, but these challenges can make you stronger if you face them head-on:
- Disease Prevention: Stick to a vaccination schedule and maintain a clean chicken coop. Prevention is always cheaper than cure.
- Predator Protection: Secure your chicken coop with sturdy materials. Rats, snakes, and wild animals are no match for a well-built home.
- Market Uncertainty: Offer diverse products—eggs, chicks, and meat—to balance seasonal fluctuations in demand.
FAQs: Building Confidence in Your Business
A: Absolutely. With low costs and easy management, it’s the perfect first step into agribusiness.
A: A backyard with 5 square meters per chicken works well for a semi-free-range setup.
A: Highlight their natural upbringing and premium quality. Use social media, farmers’ markets, and local restaurants to reach your audience. Selling through sari-sari stores, local wet markets, and online marketplaces like Shopee or Lazada for native chicken eggs or chicks.
Dream Big, Start Small, and Watch Your Future Take Flight
Native chicken farming is more than a business—it’s a chance to transform your life. Imagine earning from something you built with your own hands. Every egg, every chick, every sale is a step toward freedom, independence, and pride.
Start with 20 chickens or 50. It doesn’t matter. What matters is starting. The road won’t always be easy, but with every challenge comes a lesson, and with every lesson, you grow stronger.
Your story begins today. Take that first step. Your future is waiting.
Source: Department of Agriculture – Bureau of Agricultural Research (DA-BAR)
