The Ayam Cemani chicken is a modern and relatively new breed of chicken. The breed is from Indonesia and is pretty uncommon. Very little is known about the breed.
The word “Ayam” means chicken in Bahasa Indonesia, and “Cemani” is a village near the central Javanese town of Solo, where this chicken breed originates from.
The Ayam Cemani chicken has probably been used for centuries for religious and mystical purpose in the island of Java, Indonesia. Dutch colonial settlers first described the breed and they first imported to Europe.
The breed was imported in the 1998 by Dutch breeder Jan Steverink. It is thought that Ayam Cemani may have also been brought to Europe by Dutch seamen.
The Ayam Cemani chicken breed has a dominant gene that causes hyperpigmentation (Fibromelanosis). And hyperpigmentation makes the chickens entirely black.
Their feathers, beak and internal organs all are black. Currently, these birds are kept in the Czech Republic, Germany, Netherlands and Slovakia.
And the perfect black Ayam Cemani chicken has a very high value in Indonesia, because it is believed that they possess mystical powers. Read more information about this chicken breed below.
Ayam Cemani Chicken Characteristics
The Ayam Cemani chicken is small to medium sized bird with fully black appearance. Their beak, comb, tongue, wattles all are black. Even their meat, bones and internal organs are entirely black.
Their black color occurs as a result of excess pigmentation of the tissues, caused by a genetic condition known as fibromelanosis. The same gene is also found in some other black fowl breeds.
Blood of the Ayam Cemani chicken is not black, it’s normal but remarkably dark. The hens are layer of cream colored eggs with a slight pink tint, and their eggs weight an average of 45 grams.
The hens are not good setters and rarely hatch their own brood. Average weight of the rooster ranges from 2-2.5 kg. And the hens on an average weight about 1.5-2 kg. Photo and info from Wikipedia.
Behavior/Temperament
As the Ayam Cemani chicken breed is an uncommon and relatively new breed, so a very little is known about the breed. But they are thought to be a very active and hardy breed of chicken. They are very highly valued in Indonesia.
Because local people believe that these birds possess mystical powers. Currently the breed is raised for ornamental or meat production purpose. Review full breed profile of Ayam Cemani chicken in the following table.
| Breed Name | Ayam Cemani |
| Other Name | None |
| Breed Purpose | Meat, ornamental |
| Breed Temperament | Strong, active |
| Breed Size | Small to Medium |
| Broodiness | Seldom |
| Comb | Single |
| Climate Tolerance | All Climates |
| Egg Color | Cream with a slight pink tint |
| Egg Size | Medium |
| Egg Productivity | Medium |
| Feathered Legs | No |
| Rarity | Common |
| Varieties | Black |
| Country of Origin | Indonesia |
