Choosing the right chicken breed is one of the most important decisions in free-range farming. Your breed selection determines the bird’s growth potential, egg production, and natural resilience in an open environment. In the Philippines, the free-range movement continues to grow and three breeds have become the top choices for farmers who want healthy and antibiotic-free poultry. These breeds are the Rhode Island Red or RIR, the Dominant Ziz or DZ hybrid lines, and the Barred Plymouth Rock or BPR.
Each breed offers unique strengths in terms of performance, popularity, and behavior. Understanding these differences helps OFWs who want to start a farm and local farmers who want to scale up choose the most suitable and profitable option.
I. The Renowned Standard: Rhode Island Red
The Rhode Island Red is one of the most familiar and trusted free-range breeds in the Philippines. Many farms use it as both a meat bird and an egg layer, making it a true dual purpose breed.
Popularity and Market Demand
The RIR was the first free-range chicken to gain strong nationwide popularity. It is known as “Sikat na sikat” among farmers and buyers because of its strong market demand. Chicks and adult stocks are easy to sell because the breed already has a solid reputation.
Many free-range farms raise RIR for breeding and meat production. Some breeders even focus on special variants such as High Value or Vintage RIR lines because these are believed to have improved quality traits.
Breeding Considerations
The main challenge with the RIR is its weak maternal instinct. Most RIR hens do not brood their eggs. Farmers who plan to breed RIR must invest in artificial incubators and hatchers to maintain a steady flock. RIR hens normally start laying eggs at about five to six months of age.
Genetic Contributions
Because of its strength and adaptability, some farms also use RIR in crossbreeding programs. RIR is often crossed with hardy breeds like Shamo or Asil to produce more resilient offspring that can handle the Philippine climate.
II. The Engineered Hybrid: Dominant Ziz
The Dominant Ziz line represents modern hybrid breeding designed for efficiency and consistent production. These chickens are developed through a structured program that focuses on performance under free-range conditions.
Origin and Advocacy
The grandparent stock of the Dominant line comes from Slovakia. Dominant Asia for Genetics holds exclusive distribution rights across Asia. Their advocacy is to educate new and existing farmers because they believe that an informed farmer is more likely to succeed.
Important Genetic Lines
The Dominant line includes several specialized hybrids. Two of the most familiar combinations are:
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D853 which is produced by crossing Rhode Island Red with Rhode Island Red
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D109 which is created by using a Barred Plymouth Rock hen and a Rhode Island Red rooster
Performance and Productivity
Dominant chickens are known for high production results. For example, the Dominant Brown D 102 can produce more than three hundred brown eggs up to seventy four weeks of age. The hens normally start laying between five and six months, which matches the timeline of most dual purpose breeds.
Farmers who choose Dominant hybrids usually follow a recommended management program to maximize results.
III. The Versatile Classic: Barred Plymouth Rock
The Barred Plymouth Rock or BPR has a long history in backyard and free-range systems. It works well as a dual purpose breed and is also a key genetic component in many hybrid lines such as the D109.
Production and Purpose
The BPR is classified as both a pure broiler and a heritage layer. Farmers appreciate its balanced performance and its role in improving hybrid breeds.
Brooding Behavior
A unique advantage of the BPR is its potential for better maternal instincts. Some farmers observe that BPR hens still brood or “naglilimlim” naturally. This is valuable in free-range systems because most commercial breeds no longer brood. If a BPR strain retains this instinct, farmers can reduce costs by using natural incubation, although egg output might be lower compared to hybrids.
Market Position
Although the BPR performs well, it is less popular than the RIR. Some farms report that RIR has stronger market demand. However, BPR remains an important foundation breed in hybrid programs.
IV. Side by Side Comparison for Free-Range Systems
| Breed | Category | Purpose | Origin | Market Demand |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rhode Island Red | Pure breed | Dual purpose | USA | Very high |
| Dominant Ziz | Hybrid | High egg production | Slovakia | High |
| Barred Plymouth Rock | Pure breed | Dual purpose | USA | Moderate |
| Feature | Rhode Island Red | Dominant Ziz | Barred Plymouth Rock |
|---|---|---|---|
| Laying Age | Five to six months | Five to six months | Five to six months |
| Egg Production | Good | Very high | Moderate to good |
| Growth Rate | Good | Fast and efficient | Good |
| Feed Conversion | Moderate | Highly efficient | Moderate |
| Feature | Rhode Island Red | Dominant Ziz | Barred Plymouth Rock |
|---|---|---|---|
| Laying Age | Five to six months | Five to six months | Five to six months |
| Egg Production | Good | Very high | Moderate to good |
| Growth Rate | Good | Fast and efficient | Good |
| Feed Conversion | Moderate | Highly efficient | Moderate |
| Feature | Rhode Island Red | Dominant Ziz Hybrids | Barred Plymouth Rock |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary Role | Dual purpose for eggs and meat | High performance hybrid | Dual purpose for eggs and meat |
| Market Popularity | Very high and easy to sell | High and backed by commercial programs | Moderate |
| Maternal Instinct | Very poor and requires artificial incubator | Usually requires artificial incubation | May brood naturally |
| Genetic Role | Pure breed used in hybrid programs | Uses RIR and BPR genetics | Pure breed and female parent in D109 |
| Laying Age | Five to six months | Five to six months | Listed as a layer breed |
V. Choosing the Right Breed for Your Farm
The best breed depends on your goals, budget, and long term plan.
Choose Rhode Island Red if:
You want strong market demand and reliable dual purpose performance. Be ready to invest in incubators because RIR hens rarely brood.
Choose Dominant Ziz hybrids if:
You prefer maximum egg production and want a scientifically designed hybrid that combines the strengths of RIR and BPR.
Choose Barred Plymouth Rock if:
You want a hardy bird that may brood naturally. This can reduce operating costs for small farms, although egg productivity may be lower than hybrids.
Final Reminder for New Farmers
Always buy chicks or breeding stock from certified and reputable breeders. This ensures that your genetics are pure and your animals grow to their full potential. Ethical practices, transparency, and honesty from your supplier will help your farm grow sustainably and protect your long term investment.
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