Ayam Cemani Chickens

Ayam Cemani chickens are rare, all-black chickens.

If the chicken is black from the beak to the tongue, it is more lucrative. It can fetch up to USD $ 6000 for its parts, and its eggs can fetch up to USD $ 16 a piece. These chickens are really hard to locate and taking care of them is a full-time job.

These chickens are rarely eaten but are still purchased. A rooster with a completely black mouth would cost between USD $ 9000 – USD $ 10000.

The name Cemani originates from Sanskrit and it means jet black.

Although these chickens are native to Indonesia, breeding excellent all-black chicken still requires a lot of effort. The black pigmentation is as a result of Fibromelanosis which is a genetic mutation that causes the distinctive colouring. Generally, in chickens, pigmentation is released from specific cells only. In Ayam Cemani chickens, however, fibromelanosis causes the release of pigmentation from almost all of their cells, giving them dark black feathers, beaks, bones, and even organs.

Some Dutch settlers discovered this breed of chickens when they witnessed some locals using them to perform some religious rituals involving sacrificing them to gods.

The budget to start a flock, house it and feed it would be between USD $ 15000 – USD $ 20000.

It is possible for the chicken to develop undesirable traits like white feathers, lighter toe pads, or pink mouths if it lacks two copies of the genetic mutation.

It is difficult for Breeders in the United States to these chickens because there are government restrictions in both Indonesia and the United States. They, therefore, have to go through someone in a different Hub or a different nation where importation of these chickens is permitted. Due to the various export restrictions, the quality and the cost of Ayam Cemani chickens can vary greatly. Sometimes, online listings for chicks from various American farms range in price from $35 to $90.

Most people who purchase the Ayam Cemani chickens are collectors of rare breeds of birds. The majority of those who purchase them are collectors of rare breeds of various birds. They have also long been kept as pets of the Java Island.

The eggs laid by these birds are the typical off-white eggs.

Some locals believe that their jet black colour allows them to move between the human and the supernatural world. There are superstitious beliefs that eating the first egg laid will aid in conception. Breeders therefore tend to give away these eggs to healers or to couples who want to conceive.

Even though these chickens are used for healing, they tend to have weak immune system. When they are ill, their black colour can dull or fade. There is no formal breeding guide and therefore maintaining their health can be challenging. Breeders rely on their collective knowledge and trial and error methods.

The chickens are given baths and the coops are sprayed weekly to avoid bacterial infections. Large coops provide a stress-free atmosphere and also help preserve the chickens’ genetic heritage. There are given vaccines and vitamins and their diet is modified where necessary.

A healthy Ayam Cemani hen lays about 100 eggs annually; this is about 40% of what other hens produce. The price of the eggs can be roughly USD $ 16. Breeders, however, keep most of the eggs if not all to increase the likelihood of producing superior all-black offspring. would rather keep the majority of the eggs though, as not all of them will hatch.

Because of their wider combs, roosters are worth more than hens.