Ayam Cemani chickens are known for extensive dark pigmentation, including skin as well as feathers. They do not lay black eggs. Their value to a keeper is usually ornamental or breeding interest rather than maximum egg production.
Ayam Cemani Chickens Overview
Here’s some standard information about the rare Ayam Cemani chicken breed.
| Lifespan | 6 to 8 years |
| Weight | 3.5 to 6.5 pounds |
| Appearance | Completely black |
| Egg Color | White/cream |
| Egg Production | One per week, 80 per year |
| Good for Beginners? | No |
| Minimum Coop Size | 4 square feet per bird |
A Quick Background of Ayam Cemani Chickens
The Ayam Cemani is believed to have originated in Sumatra. They’re known as a rare breed, and the most beautiful black chicken breed.
Related to a small subsection of chicken breeds that is referred to as Kedu, this bird may have developed and originated on Java’s central plains, where it descended from the majestic Ayam Bekisar breed of chicken.
However, it’s tough to pinpoint the exact origins of this exotic bird, since it is now extinct as an original breed in Sumatra.
A combination of jungle fowl in green shades and domesticated red fowl, this bird is part of a family of chickens that has a distinct crowing noise and was put to work by early voyages as a foghorn on ships.
Ayam Cemani Chicken Appearance
The Ayam Cemani is one of the most interesting – yet striking – chicken breeds you could hope to lay eyes upon.
The bird not only has all-black feathers that shine iridescent green in direct sunlight, but they also have black skin, wattles, eyes, comb, feet, bones, and blood.
These chickens are not officially designated as a breed by the American Poultry Association, but the Ayam Cemani Club in the United States has lobbied hard to develop a standard of perfection.
Ayam Cemani Chicken Breed Standards
The Dutch Standard of Perfection dictates the following conditions in a true-blood Ayam Cemani.
- Upright, game-like posture
- Body of a medium size (around
4.5-6.5 lbs for roosters, and 3.5-4.5 for hens) - Strong, muscular bodies with firm
builds - Close-fitting feathers that are
solid black - Eyes, skin, comb, and wattles that
are solid black - Feathers may look beetle-green or
purple in the sunlight - Broad breast and mediums-ahead,
sloping back - Strong, long wings
- Moderately high tail posture
- Powerful, muscular thighs
- Four toes on each foot
These chickens are not overly large, which makes them unsuitable for most commercial purposes.
Ayam Cemani Behavioral Patterns
Ayam Cemani chickens aren’t remarkable when it comes to their behavior.
They are low-maintenance and easy to handle.
They can be skittish and flight under some circumstances, but once they become accustomed to your presence you will likely find that this is less so.
These birds are friendly and overall, quite sociable.
Even the roosters tend to be quite docile.
However, both hens and roosters alike are known for being extremely intelligent – you will want to make sure your chicken fences are “Cemani”-proof to make sure you don’t have any escapees!
These chickens are tolerant of both hot and cold weather, shaking off icy conditions as well as insufferable heat with ease.
As long as you provide the appropriate shade and cold-weather housing, you will likely find that your Ayam Cemani is a resilient breed to most weather conditions.
Is the Ayam Cemani Chicken a Good Egg Layer?
Unfortunately, Ayam Cemani chickens are not known for their egg laying abilities.
They will usually only lay around one single Ayam Cemani egg each week – this amounts to a measly 80 eggs each year.
They have a reputation for going off laying for extended periods of time – they might lay twenty-five eggs or so and then completely stop for six months before resuming again.
This behavior does not seem to be influenced by anything in particular – it does not always correspond to broodiness or molting.
This kind of unpredictably can be a major hassle if you are hoping to raise Ayam Cemani eggs.
That being said, the eggs that the Ayam Cemani hen does produce will be rather large, especially when you compare them to the hen’s average size.
The eggs are a white or cream color with a pale pink tinge. There are some myths out there that claim that Ayam Cemani chickens lay black eggs – this, unfortunately, is not true.
Broodiness
Ayam Cemani chickens aren’t known for being broody, but they can occasionally go broody depending on their genetics, environmental conditions, and the coop hierarchy.
When they do hatch the brown eggs, they tend to be good mothers, caring adequately for their young.
Is the Ayam Cemani Chicken Good
for Meat?
The Ayam Cemani is commonly raised in Indonesia as sacred animal – as a result, they are highly valued and rarely eaten for meat.
In most countries, the Ayam Cemani is not raised for its meat, but instead its blood.
The deep red, practically black blood is often used in sacrificial ceremonies – this too is believed to bring good luck.
There are very few chefs in the United States who recognize the culinary benefits of Ayam Cemani chicken meat.
Health Issues of the Ayam Cemani Chicken
Some people believe that Ayam Cemani chickens will be more predisposed to certain health problems due to their coloring.
This is not the case.
Ayam Cemani chickens have mutant fibro melanistic genes, and while these genes are not common, they are also not dangerous.
Why are Ayam Cemani Chickens Black?
The fibro melanistic gene is simply one that deposits excess black pigment.
As a result, the skin, tissues, and other portions of the Ayam Cemani chicken appear to be black.
There are three other birds that also carry this gene – the Svart Hona chicken from Sweden, the Silkie chicken, and the Kadaknath (a bird from the Madhya Pradesh region of India).
The process of melanization happens in the embryo.
Every aspect of the bird, from its feathers to its onyx feet and even its organs, is affected by the melanization.
The gene mutation responsible for the black coloring produces about ten times as much melanin as you’ll find in a normal chicken.
Even the baby chicks are all black!
The bone marrow, too, is black, giving it a unique appearance if you decide to butcher your Ayam Cemani for meat.
The Ayam Cemani itself is believed to have healing powers – believers in its mystical traits think that the blood of the Ayam Cemani can reverse bad luck and cure a wide variety of physical maladies.
Caring for Ayam Cemani Chickens
Here are a few tips for caring for these amazing birds:
Ayam Cemani As Chicks
In the native environment of Indonesia, these chickens are raised in bamboo coops.
However, here in the United States, you can raise Ayam Cemani chickens just as you might your other birds. You can raise them as chicks or as started juveniles.
If you are raising your Ayam Cemani chicks up from hatched eggs, you will need to keep them in a warm brooder (95 degrees Fahrenheit to start, with a reduction by five degrees each week until the temperature is the same as the room’s ambient temperature).
Feed your young Ayam Cemanis chick starter until they are ready to go outside.
Ayam Cemani As Adults
Once you move your Ayam Cemani chickens to the coop, you can feed them either egg layer or broiler feed – this will be determined by your specific individual chickens as well as your ultimate goals in raising your flock.
In the coop, you should provide at least four square feet per bird, but more is better if possible.
You should add supplemental foods like fresh vegetables, fruits, and occasional treats like scratch grain to keep them entertained.
Make sure you provide your chickens with plenty of fresh, clean water, as well as shelter from the elements.
The coop should be well-ventilated and offer protection from predators – although Ayam Cemani chickens are descendants from jungle fowl, they aren’t going to be able to escape the hungry jaws of raccoons, hawks, or foxes.
Keeping your birds in a chicken tractor or covered run is a great way to keep them safe.
Ayam Cemani chickens are not known for being flighty, so you shouldn’t have to worry about clipping wings.
You shouldn’t have to cover your run unless you really want to – while a covered run will provide protection from aerial predators, you don’t need to worry about your birds flying over short fences, for the most part.
Challenges of Raising an Ayam Cemani Chicken
One of the biggest difficulties that might arise in raising an Ayam Cemani chicken is that it can be exceptionally expensive.
If you decide to purchase an unsexed chicken, it can easily cost you $200 – a sexed juvenile will be twice that amount. A pair of adult chickens can cost as much as $5,000, making them one of the most expensive chicken breeds.
Therefore, this bird is not for the faint of heart or budget-conscious.
It’s also not recommended that you decide to raise the Ayam Cemani if you are new to raising chickens.
This is not because there is anything more difficult about raising this bird than there is in raising any other breed, but because the birds of this breed are so expensive.
You will be taking on some serious risk if you decide to front the money for one of these birds.
They are also difficult to find.
While they are commonly found and bred in Indonesia, there are lots of restrictions in place on their importation, especially in lieu of the avian influenza outbreak.
While they are commonly bred in Europe and America as well, they tend to be much smaller in numbers.
It’s estimated that there are fewer than 4,000 of these birds in the world today.
How to Find a True Ayam Cemani Chicken
While you can sometimes find cheaper specimens for sale, you need to be careful – often, you get what you pay for, and when you raise your Ayam Cemani to maturity you might find that it loses some of its black coloring or does not display all the proper characteristics of a true member of this breed.
You also may have difficulties producing purebred offspring in this case, too.
How do you know if you have a purebred Ayam Cemani?
You probably won’t – at least until you cut the chicken open, if you’re raising it for meat. A true Ayam Cemani will be jet-black inside and out.
If you’re purchasing from a respected, reputable breeder, expect to wait at least six months on a waiting list before you receive one of these unique birds.
These chickens are often raised as pets, but know that they aren’t really the friendliest of all chickens.
They aren’t antisocial or aggressive in any way, but they aren’t going to cuddle up to you like a Silkie chicken might.
And because they aren’t usually raised for purposes besides ornamentation, this might be a frustrating experience for you to deal with.
Frequently Asked Questions
Ayam Cemani chickens are a rare breed with lots of beauty, but they can be a lot of work. So, here are some questions you might be wondering before you make a decision.
Do Ayam Cemani Chickens Lay Black Eggs?
No, Ayam Cemani Chickens do not lay black eggs. Even though they’re completely black from head to toe, they lay white or cream eggs. There aren’t any chicken breeds that lay black eggs.
Separate cultural reputation from biology
Dark pigmentation does not establish healing powers or a special nutritional treatment. Cultural beliefs may be part of a breed’s story, but they should not be presented as evidence that its meat or blood cures illness. Evaluate identification and breeding quality separately from folklore.
Judge stock by evidence, not a spectacular price
Ask the breeder about parent birds, pigmentation, hatch records, and the standard used. A high asking price or an all-black photograph does not prove identity or breeding quality. The black-chicken comparison separates dark feathers from more extensive pigmentation.
Use the rare-breed buying guide to compare like-for-like purchases—an egg, unsexed chick, and breeding pair have different costs and risks. Check availability with a suitable supplier rather than relying on an undated worldwide population or price claim.
