Have you heard of an all black feathered chicken with jet black skin, combs, and wattles? Well, you’ll be quite surprised at the unique appearance of the Ayam Cemani.
This rare breed originated in Indonesia and is not only a completely black bird, it is also associated with mystical powers and the dark arts because every part of them from their skin to their internal organs is solid black.
If you’re interested in introducing a mystical chicken to your coop, read on to learn more about their history, egg laying, personality and behavior right here…
Where Did this Black Chicken Come From?
The Ayam Cemani is one of the few chickens in the world that is black in color inside and out!
The only other chickens that are similar in appearance are the Swedish Black chicken (Svart Hona) and the Indonesian Kadaknath.
Because of their dark color and association with mythical practices, many herbalists and ancient healers have used Cemanis in traditional medicine preparations.
But why is the Ayam Cemani breed considered a mythical bird and how did they develop their pitch-black color?
To answer these questions and more, we have to look at their history and the types of chickens that were part of their origins…
History
The origin of the Ayam Cemani chicken can be traced back to Sumatra and Java, a small Indonesian island.
It is here that the ancestors of the Cemani were found including the wild or game Ayam Kedu chicken breed from the central plains of Java and the Ayam Bekisar chicken which is a type of jungle fowl that lives on the islands of Indonesia.
Lineage
Despite some believing that Cemanis are part of the crossing of the red and green jungle fowl of Indonesia, the local people and poultry enthusiasts revealed that these chickens were part of a complex breeding program.
Their strange and otherworldly appearance led to this chicken’s connection to the occult and mysticism.
Interestingly, the word Ayam means chicken in Indonesian, and the name Cemani could mean a place called Cemani or ‘complete black’ in Sanskrit.
FUN FACT
The Cemani rooster rooster has a very loud and distinct crow which resulted in boats using these birds as foghorns, a tradition in Indonesia that continues today.
The Cemani is associated with wealth and stature because of their rarity and exotic appearance.
They are a rare chicken breed because they are the only chicken breed to carry the dominant black gene responsible for hyperpigmentation.
As Medicine
They have also become an important part of traditional medicine as they are thought of as good luck charms and possess magical powers.
It was only in 1998 that Jan Steverink from Holland imported these chickens to Europe.
Their gothic appearance captured the attention of many poultry hobbyists which led to their establishment as an ornamental breed.
What Do Ayam Cemanis Look Like?
When you first lay eyes on the Ayam Cemani chicken you will be taken aback by their incredible black coloring. From their feathers right down to their feet, every part of this breed is pitch black.
Many Ayam Cemani breeders believe that the species should be preserved because of their color and their heritage.
They do not have an official standard with the APA; however, a Dutch standard exists for these fowl.
If you’re interested in these beautiful birds, let’s learn a little bit more about their appearance and their biology…
Appearance
The Ayam Cemani is a medium size chicken with a slender body and strong, muscular legs. Their legs and feet are featherless and they walk with a confident stride.
As stunning ornamental chickens, they do possess a deep green shine across their all-black feathers when exposed to sunlight.
They also have a black comb, wattles, and earlobes with dark colored eyes. The single comb is large and prominent in both the hens and roosters.
Weight
The rooster weighs 4.5-6.5 lbs and the hen weighs 3.5-4.5 lbs.
There is no bantam variety associated with the Ayam Cemani.
Why are Ayam Cemani Black?
The Ayam Cemani possesses a dominant gene known as the fibromelanosis gene which creates their distinct black pigment. For a bird to be considered a true Ayam Cemani, it must carry two copies of the fibromelanosis gene.
Both their dark bones and organs are considered a delicacy in Asia because of their coloring and their association with the spirit world.
Ayam Cemani Blood
Contrary to popular belief, the blood of this breed is not black, but red.
It is a myth that the blood of the Ayam Cemani is black and in certain cultures, the blood of these chickens is not to be consumed.
This is because some believe that the chicken breed is bewitched .
DID YOU KNOW
The fibromelanosis gene is also responsible for their pitch-black bones and internal organs.
The Breed Standard
The Ayam Cemani chicken does not currently have an official American Poultry Association standard; however, the Ayam Cemani breeder’s club is in the process of establishing a standard of perfection.
Because these birds were first exported to Holland, they do have a Dutch standard of perfection.
Features
According to the Dutch, the Ayam Cemani breed should have a muscular body, broad breast bones, and long wings set on wide shoulders.
The skin and facial appendages should all be pure black.
This includes their feathers, legs, and feet with four toes on each foot.
While a purple to beetle green iridescence is accepted across the feathers when they appear in sunlight, any other color is not permitted.
How to Sex Ayam Cemani Chickens?
Ayam Cemani chicks are challenging to sex and while traditional wing sexing methods work for breeds such as the Leghorn, one cannot use this technique with these gothic chickens.
If you were to attempt feather sexing, the females should feather faster compared to the males.
Feathers
They will also have uneven feathering on the wingtips whereas the males are even feathered.
Another possible way to sex these birds is to wait until 6-8 weeks when the rooster develops a larger comb and wattles compared to the hens.
Is the Ayam Cemani a Good Layer?
If you were expecting the Ayam Cemani to produce exotic black eggs because of their natural black gene, then you may be disappointed to learn that the Ayam Cemani egg size and color are quite normal!
To learn more about the Ayam Cemani egg color and meat quality, we look at their overall egg production and whether they make good meat birds in the following chapter...
How Many Eggs Does the Ayam Cemani Lay?
This chicken breed is a fairly poor egg layer and only produces up to 80 eggs per year.
They also tend to go ‘off lay‘ for an extended period of time. After producing 20-30 eggs, Ayam Cemanis will usually stop laying for about 6 months. This is simply a part of their natural egg laying cycle.
NOTE
As they don’t lay as frequently as other chickens, it can also be incredibly hard to breed them.
Their difficult breeding and low production of eggs contribute to their rarity and their high cost.
What Color Eggs Do Ayam Cemani Lay?
Are eggs laid by this pretty rare bird black? Many believe that these exotic hens lay black eggs but the truth is that the Ayam Cemani lays small to medium cream colored eggs.
Some can lay eggs with very slight pink tint depending on the strain but if you are looking for chickens that lay dark eggs, consider the Copper Marans that lay chocolate or dark brown eggs.
What Color are Ayam Cemani Eggs?
The Ayam Cemani does not lay black eggs but rather a tinted, cream, or light brown egg color similar to that of other chickens such as Rhode Islands or Orpingtons.
If you do see black eggs advertised by poultry sellers, the coloring would have been painted or edited in the photographs.
Ayam Cemani does not produce a black eggshell, it is merely a myth because of the coloring of the chicken.
Here’s a cool video of Ayam Cemani eggs hatching…
Do Hens Lay in Winter?
The Ayam Cemani hens will quit laying eggs in winter and if she has reached her egg cycle of 20-30 eggs, she may not lay for half a year!
Keep an eye on your chickens to ensure that they aren’t egg bound if the 6 month mark passes and they haven’t produced a single egg in a week.
NOTE
When the egg doesn’t pass through the oviduct of the hen, it becomes stuck creating a life threatening condition.
Hens that are egg bound need immediate treatment or veterinary attention to prevent complications.
Are They Good Meat Birds?
The Ayam Cemani chicken has black meat described as tasting gamier compared to chickens such as broilers that are meant for production.
It has a small carcass and is not considered the best meat bird.
DID YOU KNOW
The bones, blood, and organs are prepared in ancient medicine as a symbol of good luck, wealth, and stature in parts of Asia.
In Indonesia, it is a sacrificial bird during rituals and its flesh is rarely eaten, but in the US, UK, and Europe it is prized for its tender, dark meat.
Is the Ayam Cemani Hen Broody?
Despite some hens experiencing broodiness and raising their chicks, they aren’t typically broody and don’t make good setters.
The hens can become broody once or twice a year and are very protective of successfully hatched chicks.
Ayam Cemani Behavior
Surprisingly, these ornamental chickens are docile and described as low maintenance making them a good choice for all chicken keepers.
The calm nature of the hen and rooster make them good pets for the urban chicken coop and they tend to get along well with most types of chickens.
If you are thinking about adding these beautiful birds to your backyard, let’s take a closer look at their overall personality and care…
Personality and Behavior
The Ayam Cemani chicken is tame, intelligent, and easy to care for which are wonderful traits to have in your chicken coop.
They aren’t boisterous or bossy so housing them with breeds of a similar nature such as the Brahma, Polish, and even little Silkies can make for a balanced and happy coop.
The hens don’t mind being handled and they also make great pets for children, provided they are treated with kindness and care.
Handling
Some chickens can be flighty when young so careful handling will help them overcome their shyness and fearfulness.
Kids will absolutely love their unusual coloring and along with their gentle disposition, they are spectacular birds for your coop.
Is the Ayam Cemani Cold Hardy?
These chickens come from the tropical climate of Indonesia; however, they tend to do quite well in cold climates.
They do need some help with a dry and well-insulated coop in winter which includes protection of their large combs in frost and snow.
The soft tips of their comb can suffer from frostbite when temperatures dip and with a dark comb, this type of injury might be hard to spot.
TIP
Apply vaseline or a thick layer of coconut oil to the comb and wattles of your Ayam Cemani to prevent frostbite during winter.
In summer, always have clean water and enough shade available so your birds can relax and move out of the heat when temperatures soar.
Are They Loud?
The Ayam Cemani rooster can be quite loud and with his deep vocal abilities, he certainly wouldn’t be a good choice for your neighbors, especially if they prefer to sleep in!
The hens are generally quiet and a better choice for the backyard coop.
Common Illnesses
To consider the Ayam Cemani for your chicken coop, you need to know whether they suffer from any major health issues.
This is particularly important for less experienced chicken keepers who are looking for breeds that are easy to raise and don’t mind being handled.
Fortunately, the Cemani is a generally tough and healthy chicken that isn’t affected by any genetic conditions or anomalies.
They are also very friendly, so handling them isn’t a problem either.
Let’s look at the overall health of the Ayam Cemani chicken…
Breed Health
These black chickens love to forage and will spend most of their time free-ranging when given the opportunity but living outdoors can also increase their risk of contracting lice and mites.
Their dark feathers also make it harder to detect pests before it becomes a problem.
To avoid lice and mite issues, your birds should have an area to sand bath which helps to coat their plumage and suffocate any parasites that make their way onto their bodies.
You can also apply a poultry-approved dust or powder if your chickens can’t naturally dust bath.
FACT
bathing not only helps to get rid of and prevent pests, but it also keeps chickens smelling fresh and looking clean too.
FAQs
How Much is an Ayam Cemani Chicken?
You’re looking at around $199 per chick and $5000 for good quality breeding stock.
These birds can be quite pricey so be sure to source them from a reputable breeder who can guarantee their bloodlines and their health.
Cheaper Cemanis are usually not purebred or the chicks might have color leakage in the combs and wattles.
Why are Ayam Cemani So Expensive?
The high cost of these chickens is owed to their rarity.
Some reputable US breeders are booked months in advance for chicks which means that you’ll be placed on a waiting list if you want purely bred lines in your flock.
They lay a very small clutch and suffer from some infertility issues which makes breeding them quite challenging.
Restriction
On top of their slow production, import restrictions on fowl from other Asian countries also make it costly for breeders who want to diversify the bloodline.
In their country of origin, they are prized birds that are associated with wealth and popularity further contributing to their price.
So, if you want to add the all-black chicken to the coop, be prepared to spend a little bit more and possibly wait weeks to months before the stock becomes available.
Conclusion
The Ayam Cemani breed is the gothic chicken of Indonesia and one of the only birds in the world to be associated with mystical powers.
They are available in the US, UK, Europe, and South Africa but not Australia because they have not been imported to the country as of yet.
Appearance
Cemanis have a striking appearance! They are completely black including their bones and organs which are used in traditional Asian medicine. They are not good egg layers but do make fairly decent meat birds.
Hardiness
These chickens are favored for the urban poultry keeper because they can tolerate all kinds of weather, are generally friendly, and have no known health issues.
Along with their incredible color, who wouldn’t want a mythical Cemani in their coop?
Share Your Thoughts!
Perhaps you’re interested in a truly unique chicken to join your flock or much like us, you’re mesmerized by this breed, so why not share our Ayam Cemani guide with some of your fellow chicken hobbyists?
As one of the rarest types of chickens in the world, they are certainly worth a mention!
