TUGUEGARAO CITY, Cagayan (PIA) -- The Department of Agriculture has started  a native chicken breed that is said to be well-suited for weather conditions in the Cagayan region.

Named as ‘DADOS chicken', the native chicken breed that was four years in the making was launched in April last year.

DADOS chicken was named after the local DA’s thrust of becoming a “dedicated agency ready to deliver outstanding services” which was coined by OIC Regional Director Dr. Rose Mary G. Aquino.

The new chicken breed was a  terminal breed from 4-way crosses using four breeds that have good traits for egg-laying and grow faster than the usual native chicken. 

“This improved native is designed for the local weather conditions and will thrive on a free-range system of production,” said Ferdinand S. Arquero, project leader of DADOS chicken. 

Arquero said DADOS chicken came to life under the Livestock Economic Enterprise Development Project. 

Aquinov said the breed is a promising chicken breed that is set to overcome the significant income losses incurred by livestock raisers due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the African Swine Fever.

The first batch of beneficiaries is prospect breeder multiplier farms which shall be accredited to reproduce the breed. 

“Through this, increased production of the breed is envisioned to ensure more farmers will benefit so that in the succeeding years, the development of the market shall also be pursued as support to them,” said Aquino.

The DA distributed the first batch of recipients to farmers' cooperatives and associations, and local government units last year.

Among the Farmer Association and Cooperative beneficiaries were the Happy Farmers Agriculture Cooperative, which received 100 heads of DADOS chicken; St. Joseph Parish Multi-Purpose Cooperative with 200 heads of DADOS chicken; Bayaning Agri-Magsasaka Damayan Villaverde Association Incorporated with 100 heads of DADOS chicken.

The Local Government of Tumauini, Isabela was also one of the beneficiaries, which received 100 heads of DADOS chicken.

In an interview, Tumauini Municipal Agriculturist Noel C. Baquiran Jr. shared how grateful they are and that they commit to creating and sustaining urban and peri-urban gardens in their town and extending the technology to the private individuals who can establish and manage the same.

“We pledge to work together with the DA regional field office to ensure that these gardens and poultry are accessible and managed by cooperatives under the supervision of the LGU” he said.

“We will strive to create a culture of urban and peri-urban gardening that is inclusive, equitable, and resilient…for our farmers and stakeholders,” he added. 

(OTB/MDCT/PIA Cagayan)