Ayam Cemani

     The Ayam Cemani, (“ayam” means chicken in Indonesian, while “Cemani” denotes the village where the bird originates), is a very unusual and exotic Chicken breed from Indonesia. It’s known for being entirely black from toe to head, and even its internal organs, flesh and bones are black too.

     Having black flesh coloration is a complex genetic trait resulting from an unusual chromosomal rearrangement, first appeared long ago in southeast Asia. It’s also believed that the Ayam Cemani, or its immediate ancestor, is the founder of all the world’s black-fleshed chicken breeds, such as; the Silkie and the Swedish Black.

     The Ayam Cemani has drawn considerable interests from fowl fanciers and scientists around the world, for their beautiful shiny looks and genetics. In Asia, they are culturally credited with mystical powers of their flesh and bloods. Their bloods are actually of a dark-red color, but not black. Cemanis are often used in their land of origins in medicine, and in sacrificial rituals to bring good luck and fortune.

     Ayam Cemani chickens are friendly, hardy and active foragers. The hens lay cream-colored eggs (around 60 – 100 eggs per year of weight 45 g per each). Unfortunately, they are poor setters, and rarely hatch their own brood.

     The Ayam Cemani is the most exotic and expensive breed of chickens in the world. In the past, the bird was quite rare and reached a price of $2500 per individual in the USA. The Cemani is still rare till now, but luckily its price went down.