TIL the country has a native species of chicken that is almost entirely black in color.
In the diverse line of native chickens in the Philippines—such as the Darag of Panay, the ZamPen Native Chicken of Zamboanga, and the Boholano Chicken—another breed is gaining attention in Mindanao.
Distinct for its black shank, gray skin, and black plumage, the Patani, or Caraga Black Native Chicken (CBNC), is emerging as a promising addition to the country’s native poultry industry.
The push to develop the CBNC began in 2017, when the Department of Science and Technology–Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development (DOST-PCAARRD) noticed growing demand for black-meat chickens.
“Online, there were many people looking for black-meat chickens, and some were even offering them at very high prices,” said Dr. Synan Baguio, Director of the Livestock Research Division at DOST-PCAARRD. “At that time, we saw very few—less than 20 birds—at the Department of Agriculture station in Caraga. So we decided to begin breeding work using those limited stocks.”
In collaboration with Caraga State University (CSU) and the Department of Agriculture’s Trento Research and Experiment Station, the initiative focused on identifying and breeding chickens with similar traits across Agusan del Sur, Agusan del Norte, and Surigao del Sur.
Demand driven by perceived health benefits
Locally known as Patani, the CBNC initially drew interest due to its perceived health benefits. Studies in other countries on black chicken breeds suggest higher melanin content, which is linked to antioxidant properties.
In informal surveys, consumers often say they prefer black meat,” Baguio said. “In some cultures, it’s associated with better taste and added health benefits.”
However, researchers clarified that these claims are not yet scientifically established for the CBNC.
“We are making assumptions based on similar black chicken breeds,” said Dr. Tomas Austral Jr., project leader from Caraga State University. “But we plan to conduct proper analysis in future projects to determine its actual health benefits. There is strong potential, especially in nutraceutical applications, and even hospitals have expressed interest in partnering with us.”
Efforts are underway to collaborate with food and nutrition research groups to formally study the breed’s nutritional composition.
Improving productivity through science-based breeding
Beyond its unique appearance, the CBNC is also being developed for improved production performance.
Current data show that the breed produces around 110 eggs per year, with recent improvements pushing that number to 115. Fertility rates stand at around 85%, while target growth performance is set at 1.2 kilograms within 14 weeks.
“These figures are still being refined as we consolidate our data,” Austral explained.
As part of the breeding program, selection is focused on increasing egg production and improving growth rates.
“Since this is breeding work, our goal is to produce chickens that yield more products,” Baguio said. “So our selection is directed toward higher egg production and faster growth.”
Building a value chain: Farmers, markets, and tourism
To promote the CBNC, government institutions have partnered with small-scale breeders and producers, ensuring access to premium markets through a value chain approach.
“Our estimate is already more than 5,000 distributed among breeders,” Austral said. “We have partners in Cagayan de Oro, Misamis Occidental, and even Siargao—and many are expressing interest in expanding.”
In Siargao, the local government of Del Carmen has incorporated CBNC dishes into hotel menus, helping position the breed as a tourism offering. DOST-PCAARRD is also exploring its inclusion in tourism packages as part of Philippine ethnic cuisine.
“Our strategy is to link stakeholders,” Baguio said. “But production and marketing should ultimately be led by private adopters.”
So if small-scale farmers want to level up their poultry game with the CBNC, government agencies will help in the technical side—like breeding and selection—while private sector partners take care of multiplying the stock.
“If someone wants to go into business with Caraga Black Native Chicken, we usually refer them to our private sector partners,” Baguio said.
However, to guarantee production of high quality CBNC, DOST-PCAARRD is rolling out a Native Animals Farm Certification Program through partnerships with the Bureau of Animal Industry. This will ensure that only breeder farms meeting a strict criteria can operate as certified suppliers.
“Entrepreneurs will have better control over their production systems,” Baguio said. “That also gives them confidence that their operations can actually generate profit.
CBNC’s profitability
One of the biggest advantages of raising CBNC is you can sell it at a premium price buyers are willing to pay.
“Many buyers don’t really question the price, even if it’s higher than other native chickens,” Austral said. “That’s a big motivator for us, especially considering its potential in terms of pricing and perceived health benefits.”
Baguio added that pricing comes down to value. If the product is premium, it deserves a premium price. Current estimates show one-month-old chicks costs around ₱250, growers about ₱450, and dressed chicken around ₱500.
Because they’re native chickens, CBNCs are also naturally adapted to local conditions and can thrive on forage-based diets. For farmers, this means less dependence on commercial feeds and more savings in the long run.
Supply challenges amid rising demand
Despite growing interest, limited supply remains a major challenge. Austral noted that demand is expanding beyond Mindanao, with inquiries now coming from Luzon and the Visayas. To address this, a cooperative has been formed to coordinate production across Caraga.
It’s risky to promote a product widely when supply is still very limited,” Baguio cautioned.
“However, I personally am very optimistic that we can significantly increase the population of the chickens and availability of their meat because we already have private sector entrepreneurs who are adopting the Caraga Black Native Chicken,” he added.
Next steps: From research to market-ready products
With increasing attention on the CBNC, research institutions are moving toward the next phase: improving productivity, analyzing nutritional composition, and developing value-added products.
At Caraga State University, efforts are underway to strengthen the production system—from farm to processing. Plans include establishing a slaughterhouse facility to support product development and distribution.
“We want to showcase the Caraga Black native chicken here in Caraga from production to slaughter. So we have a slaughterhouse designed by our planning office. Hopefully, it will be integrated as one of the strategies for them to see value-adding and the finished product,” Austral said.
As research continues and partnerships expand, stakeholders believe the CBNC could soon carve out a niche in both the local and international markets—offering farmers a new opportunity while introducing consumers to a distinctly Filipino poultry product.
Photos courtesy of DOST-PCAARRD and Caraga State University