Original Article

Phenotypic characterization of Paraoakan chicken (Gallus gallus domesticus Linnaeus, 1758) in selected municipalities of Palawan, Philippines

Authors:
Frances Muriel L. Tuquero
Palawan State University, Tiniguiban Heights, Puerto Princesa City

ABSTRACT

This study assessed the Paraoakan chicken Gallus gallus domesticus (Linnaeus, 1758) characteristics such as the birds’ morphology, productivity, adaptability, and raising challenges through survey interviews of 96 raisers from seven municipalities of Palawan. Primarily raised for personal consumption, these chickens exhibit normal and plain feather morphology with varied plumage colors and pea combs. Paraoakans predominantly had white skin, yellow shanks, red earlobes, and pea-sized combs. The roosters, on the average, weighed 2.3 kg, measured 40.83 cm in body length, and had a chest circumference of 35.35 cm, with shanks and wingspan measuring 9.98 cm and 43.90 cm, respectively. The hens are generally smaller averaging 1.67 kg weight, 36.90 cm body length, 31.63 cm chest circumference, 8.44 cm shank length, and 43.10 cm wingspan. Paraoakans lay small-sized, white, and brown-colored eggs. Raisers reported that these chickens had a hatchability rate of 86.57%. With a range of 20 to 50 eggs per year, egg production of Paraoakan peaks at 6-8 months. Paraoakan plays a vital role in local food security and rural livelihoods in Palawan, being considered the biggest native breed in the country. At a slaughter weight of 1.0 to 1.5 kg and a 0.5 kg average carcass yield, it is regarded as having a good dressing percentage of 50% to 66%. However, despite being regarded as disease-tolerant, common issues like coryza, fowlpox, and lice infestation are usual issues faced by raisers. This study provides baseline data for sustainable and productive breeding and conservation programs. A comprehensive breeding and training program can be started for growers to establish best practices, enhance disease management, and improve flock health and performance.

Keywords: livestock, native chicken, Palawan chicken, phenotypic characterization

^{Available Online: 28 May 2026}

How to Cite:
Tuquero FML. 2026. Phenotypic characterization of Paraoakan chicken (Gallus gallus domesticus Linnaeus, 1758) in selected municipalities of Palawan, Philippines. The Palawan Scientist. 18(1):216-228 https://doi.org/10.69721/TPS.J.2026.18.1.22

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License