Sunday Farm Talk
By Manny Pinol
Even before it could hit the market stalls and be served in native chicken specialty restaurants, “Manok PiNoy,” the new backyard poultry strain developed in the Braveheart Farms in Kidapawan City is already making waves among health conscious Filipinos.
The fact that it was developed largely out of indigenous Philippine chicken breeds which ensures its adaptability to the local conditions, “Manok PiNoy” is creating a stir because of the fact that it is raised in the free-range and fed with chemical-free ration.
In fact, a group of Metro Manila-based health buffs led by former Ms. International Aurora Pijuan is eagerly awaiting the introduction of “Manok PiNoy” to the chicken meat market.
Among poultry enthusiasts who have witnessed the development of this new backyard poultry strain are also excited by the fact that raised in the free range under the elements, “Manok PiNoy” is proving to be fast growers and prolific egg layers.
“Manok PiNoy” cockerels grow to over one kilo in 75 days while the pullets achieve the 1 kilo weight threshhold in 90 days, a great improvement from the local native chicken breeds which are mostly mongrels which take about six months or 180 days before attaining the 1 kilo weight.
Aside from a breed called “Darag” developed in the Central Visayas area, there has been no serious effort to develop a distinct Philippine chicken breed whose meat texture and taste satisfy the picky Filipino palate on chicken.
“Manok PiNoy” is expected to fill this void which, because of its predominantly indigenous and Oriental genes, could withstand tropical poultry diseases which often wipe out the local chicken population.
Two days ago, in a continuing experiment on “Manok PiNoy’s” tastiness, two breeding roosters which have been used for two years were served as lechon manok in the All Soul’s Day gathering of my family.
While the 3-year-old lechon “Manok PiNoy” proved to be tough because of their age, the meat surprisingly was tender and tasty at that age.
Preparations for the commercial introduction of “Manok PiNoy” have been made including the registration with the Intellectual Property Office (IPO) of the “Manok PiNoy” brand.
Early next year, I will make efforts to introduce this new breed to President Noynoy Aquino, who I must admit, inspired me to name this new breed “Manok PiNoy.”
By the Summer of 2014, “Manok PiNoy” would already be available in the chicken meat market and offered as “Natural at Tunay na Manok, Para sa Panlasang Pinoy.”
(Photo caption: This photo of two Lechon “Manok PiNoy” was taken by my daughter, Josa Bernadette. It shows the beautiful brown roasted chicken with a well-rounded body.)
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