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Poultry genetic resources diversity serves as a reservoir of genes adaptable to local conditions, production, resource utilization, and production that are compatible with consumer preferences for meat and egg products. This study was, therefore, conducted to determine the production potentials of native chickens in Western Visayas, Philippines. A total of 270 raisers were interviewed and 810 chickens were characterized. These numbers were divided equally among the provinces of Aklan, Antique, Capiz, Guimaras, Iloilo, and Negros Occidental. The data collected were analyzed using one-way analysis of variance and significant differences were determined using the Duncan's Multiple Range Test. Results show that native chickens from Aklan had the highest (P < 0.01) hatching percentage (93.10 ± 1.67 %) and oldest (P < 0.01) slaughter/marketing age (23.56 ± 1.03 weeks). Those from Guimaras had the biggest (P < 0.01) egg (42.69 ± 0.87 g) and heaviest slaughter/marketing weight (920.00 ± 22.72 to 924.44 ± 23.01 g); the shortest (P < 0.01) clutch interval (77.87 ± 4.14 days) was observed from those in Iloilo. Those from Antique had the highest (P < 0.01) survival rate from 1 day old to a slaughter/marketing age of 52.48 ± 1.83 %. The adult live weight ranged from 1.27 ± 0.04 to 1.62 ± 0.04 kg with those from Aklan as the lowest (P < 0.01) while those from Guimaras were the highest. Thus, the observed variations in reproductive and growth performances of native chickens from this region expressed their potentials for genetic improvement toward production.

The study dealt with the design and technical evaluation of a pellet mill developed in the Philippines that utilizes the roll-type extrusion method of producing powder materials of different mixtures into pelleted feeds and driven by a 2 Hp electric motor. It is comprised of a feed hopper, pelleting chamber, pellet roll, die plate, discharge chute and frame. As the pellet rolls rotated, force is also applied creating rearrangement of the particles in order to fill the voids or holes of the die plate. The machine can produce 1.272±0.009 kg/min or about 76.32±0.54 kg/hr of pelletized feeds. It is an efficient, portable and user-friendly machine that can convert a kilo of mash feeds by 97.87±0.596%. The pellets produced have a 4-mm diameter with a length and weight of 10.667±0.667 mm and 0.138±0.005 g, respectively, while the moisture content after sundrying was 25.467±9.744% and the total solids was 74.533±9.744%. In addition, the pellets produced had a bulk density of 0.510±0.015 g/cc, pellet durability index of 95.77±0.596% and a percent fine of 1.8±0.115.