A study was conducted to assess native chicken and muscovy duck production systems in Nueva Vizcaya. Parameters like demographic characteristics of the respondents, production environment, resources and management, and production-related problems of native chicken and muscovy duck raisers were collected. Descriptive statistics like measures of dispersion, central tendency, frequency counts, percentages and ranks were used to treat the statistical data.

Results of the study showed that most native chicken and muscovy duck raisers in Nueva Vizcaya are within the 36-45 years age bracket. Most are married women with a maximum number of four children. Rice farming is the major occupation. Educational attainment is low and most respondents have attended/finished only elementary and secondary levels. Attendance to trainings and seminars as well as membership in farmers' organizations and cooperatives are limited. Despite the proximity and/or accessibility to research stations and extension and veterinary services, most farms are still traditionally managed with little attention being given to feeding and health care.

Resources like feeds, labor and housing materials are mostly taken on-farm. Production and management practices are still traditional, but there are evidences of gradual shifting to scientific practices and technologies especially on flock improvement as 356 out of 390 farmers practicing upgrading show.

Productivity of the native chicken and Muscovy duck is moderately low due to the traditional management system employed.

On the average, most respondents own less than a hectare of landholding. Household sizes were small with an average of four children. Annual household income ranged from 41-50 thousand pesos. Crop production is the primary source of income. Native chicken and muscovy duck are mainly raised for food and secondarily as source of additional income. Marketing is done on cash on retail or wholesale basis. Price of marketable live native chicken is higher compared to that of live commercial broiler.

Management-related problems and limited resource-capability of the farmers constrain the expansion of native chicken and muscovy duck production.

Formulation of intervention options toward the solution of these problems should be both a government and private sector endeavor. Trainings and seminars should be conducted to enhance the farmers' technical knowledge and skills on native chicken and muscovy duck production. Technology dissemination, technical assistance and veterinary services should be provided to raisers.

Farmers who want to increase their flocks and want to engage in native chicken and muscovy duck production should be availed of moderate interest-loans with no collateral. Sufficient market information support system should be extended to raisers to promote efficient marketing of native chicken, muscovy duck and their products. Family labor should be used to minimize labor expenses. Viability and applicability of indigenous technologies should be verified and tested for the raisers' benefit.

Based on the findings of this study, a Module on Native Chicken and Muscovy Duck Production was evolved.

Thesis (Master of Science - Animal Science)

Includes appendices and bibliographical references