Let us raise native chicken on the backyard
for food and therapy
Dr Abe V Rotor
Closeup of native chicken (Gallos gallos Philippinensis) at author's
backyard. Photos taken by the author.
Backyard poultry raising for meat and eggs, livelihood and leisure, too.
(DOST photo on Internet)
When I was a kid, my dad raised chicken, open range, on our spacious house lot. It was peacetime, just after WWII. I delivered live chicken and eggs to the convent where Chinese refugees were housed. Other than generating income, raising chicken - as well as some heads of goats and carabaos - was therapeutic to dad and the three of us, his children, as we tried to cope up with the trauma of war and the economic crunch that followed.
We had other pets as well - dogs and cats - sweetly calling them names we love to hear. We had a garden of vegetables and an orchard, and ricefield where we would fly kites in the harvest season. We would gather fish (hito, dalag gourami, ar-aro, tilapia) come end of monsoon when the fields dry up. Our orchard was home of many birds (perperroka, pandangera, maya, house sparrow, kingfisher and oriole), and some transients like herons and panal on their migratory route. How we loved to listen to birdsongs, and to keep company with them at work and play. They gleaned at harvestime, followed the plow for prey, built nests and tended their young. These, doctors affirm to have therapeutic value.
Henpower: Therapy with Chicken
HenPower, an organization in Britain is gaining popularity in many parts of the world. Hen therapy is an addition to therapy with other animals. Hen therapy has been found effective to the elderly in combating loneliness, depression and isolation, other infirmities as well.
Guardian: The hen project, which is supporting some 700 residents in more than 20 care homes in north-east England, was launched not so long ago in London. Photograph: David Charlton/Equal Arts
Here is an excerpt from the Guardian.
"In the north-east, where Henpower is now well established, volunteers known as “hensioners” have been taking hen road shows to schools, community events and to other care settings."
"Many studies have looked at the value of therapy animals in institutional settings. Although the reports are anecdotal, they show that the creatures can ease agitated behaviors that accompany dementia and help with loneliness. Animal therapy visits may lower blood pressure and promote well-being." says Guardian.
What is in a chicken, in a hen for that matter? Well, first of all she lays egg regularly, with or without the presence of the male or rooster. Fresh eggs are nutritious and regarded second to milk in importance in the diet. In fact, fresh egg taken fresh has medicinal and therapeutic value. Dad would reach out from a hen's nest newly laid eggs, and make a tasty mix with steaming rice in a large bandejado or serving plate. What a complete breakfast during the war and after! Or he would down an egg himself directly from the shell. It's good for the sickly and the convalescent.
Second, hens are amiable, especially when trained as pet. Like the rooster (except the purpose of raising it for the cockpit) the hen is a faithful companion and she is not as demanding in food and care as say, the dog or cat. Her muffled cockling sound is comforting like the purring of a cat. And her being a mother has a comforting effect as well, particularly to the lonely and depressed. The incubating warmth under her wings is comforting to the old and young as well especially in cold weather.
Third, hens are caring, from incubating the eggs to rearing the chicks to weaning age, And the cycle which takes a month or two is repeated. Indeed the whole process imparts not only knowledge but awe, love and care, bringing old and children close together, a social connectivity vital to our society.
But what a radical change there is in poultry in our postmodern! The word chicken rings louder in fast foods chains than in the home. Home grown chicken however defies statistical record - 80 percent of the chicken population are still raised on the backyard, free range and in chicken coops.
First, it must be native chicken.
Karurayan is the term in Ilocos for a pure white native chicken which does not bear any trace of color on its feathers. It is preferably a female, dumalaga or fryer, meaning it has not yet reached reproductive stage. It is neither fat nor thin.
Chicken soup as a convalescent food is recognized in many parts of the world. Because of its popularity, chicken soup has become associated with healing, not only of the body – but the soul as well. In fact there is a series of books under the common title Chicken Soup - for the Woman’s Soul, Surviving Soul, Mother’s Soul, Unsinkable Soul, Writer’s Soul, etc.
"In the north-east, where Henpower is now well established, volunteers known as “hensioners” have been taking hen road shows to schools, community events and to other care settings."
"Many studies have looked at the value of therapy animals in institutional settings. Although the reports are anecdotal, they show that the creatures can ease agitated behaviors that accompany dementia and help with loneliness. Animal therapy visits may lower blood pressure and promote well-being." says Guardian.
What is in a chicken, in a hen for that matter? Well, first of all she lays egg regularly, with or without the presence of the male or rooster. Fresh eggs are nutritious and regarded second to milk in importance in the diet. In fact, fresh egg taken fresh has medicinal and therapeutic value. Dad would reach out from a hen's nest newly laid eggs, and make a tasty mix with steaming rice in a large bandejado or serving plate. What a complete breakfast during the war and after! Or he would down an egg himself directly from the shell. It's good for the sickly and the convalescent.
Second, hens are amiable, especially when trained as pet. Like the rooster (except the purpose of raising it for the cockpit) the hen is a faithful companion and she is not as demanding in food and care as say, the dog or cat. Her muffled cockling sound is comforting like the purring of a cat. And her being a mother has a comforting effect as well, particularly to the lonely and depressed. The incubating warmth under her wings is comforting to the old and young as well especially in cold weather.
Third, hens are caring, from incubating the eggs to rearing the chicks to weaning age, And the cycle which takes a month or two is repeated. Indeed the whole process imparts not only knowledge but awe, love and care, bringing old and children close together, a social connectivity vital to our society.
But what a radical change there is in poultry in our postmodern! The word chicken rings louder in fast foods chains than in the home. Home grown chicken however defies statistical record - 80 percent of the chicken population are still raised on the backyard, free range and in chicken coops.
Chicken soup
I wrote this article as a lesson on former Paaralang Bayan sa Himpapawid (People’s School on Air) about chicken soup claimed to be the best food for the convalescent. I received favorable audience response which I find interesting to research on. But it was my experience with my ailing father which I wish to share here.
I say it is true. Chicken soup is a “miracle” food, and herbolarios ("quack" doctors) will support me. Here are the rules for the recipe. Or the specifications of the kind of chicken to be served.
Karurayan is the term in Ilocos for a pure white native chicken which does not bear any trace of color on its feathers. It is preferably a female, dumalaga or fryer, meaning it has not yet reached reproductive stage. It is neither fat nor thin.
Chicken soup, originally Filipino, tinola with green papaya and siling labuyo (red pepper) tops.
Usually the herbolario chooses one from a number of recommended specimens. He then instructs and supervises the household the way the karurayan is dressed, cut, cooked into tinola (stew) and served to the convalescent. He does not ask for any fee for his services, but then he takes home one or two of the specimens that did not pass his specifications.
Chicken soup as a convalescent food is recognized in many parts of the world. Because of its popularity, chicken soup has become associated with healing, not only of the body – but the soul as well. In fact there is a series of books under the common title Chicken Soup - for the Woman’s Soul, Surviving Soul, Mother’s Soul, Unsinkable Soul, Writer’s Soul, etc.
Of course, this is exaggeration. Nonetheless it strengthens our faith that this lowly descendant of the dinosaurs (Archaeopteryx) that once walked the earth has panacean magic.
Try chicken soup to perk you up in these trying times. But first, be sure your chicken does not carry antibiotic residues, and should not be one that is genetically engineered (GMO).
By the way, I was a participant in the rituals made by the herbolario I related. I was then a farmhand and I was tasked to get the karurayan. Our flock failed the test, but I found two dumalaga with few colored feathers. I plucked out the colored feathers and presented the birds to Ka Pepe. They passed the criteria, his specs.
Three days after, I asked my convalescing dad how he was doing. “I’m fine, I’m fine, now.” He assured me with a big smile.~
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NOTE: Dogs and cats are most commonly used in pet therapy. However, fish, guinea pigs, horses, and other animals that meet screening criteria can also be used. The type of animal chosen depends on the therapeutic goals of a person's treatment plan. Pet therapy is also referred to as animal-assisted therapy (AAT). Internet
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