The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) has disclosed that the  Caraga State University (CSU) has developed black native chicken, which has the potential to be marketed as a “healthy meat” product. 

DOST Secretary Fortunato “Boy” T. de la Peña said a research team from the CSU has initially established 124 quality breeder stocks of Caraga black native chicken at CSU in Butuan City, despite the restrictions brought about by the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.

The team is led by CSU's Dr. Tomas M. Austral Jr.

"However, by June 2021, this R&D (research and development) project envisions to establish a 500 hd (breed value assessment) breeding  true-to-type Caraga black native chicken flock with at least 80 percent uniformity in meat and skin color that is consistent in quality,” de la Peña said. 

Locally known as “patani”, the Caraga black native chicken is a black skinned chicken with grayish flesh, and black plumage and comb, he said.

"It has a distinct taste and is resilient to extremes of climate,” the DOST chief said. 

"The black skin and meat color is attributed to higher pigmentation, which is associated with nutrients with high antioxidant property, thus the potential to be marketed as a ”healthy meat” product.” 

De la Peña said a series of trainings on the breeding and selection of Caraga black native chicken will be conducted on the breeding and selection of Caraga black native chicken in partnership with DOST-Caraga in Del Carmen, Surigao del Norte and in Dinagat Island.

The trainings, which will be led by Dr. Austral, seek "to promote the technology in the region and jumpstart the adoption of the technology by farmers,” de la Peña said. 

"A research and development project proposal on genetic markers that are associated with functional nutrients and the black pigmentation of the Caraga black native chicken is currently in the pipeline for funding,” he said.