Perhaps you’ve seen chickens with a few black feathers before, but have you ever encountered chickens that are entirely black?
When I first saw these pictures, I thought my eyes were deceiving me.
But it’s true. There’s a rare breed of all-black chickens known as Ayam Cemani.
Ayam Cemani chickens are completely black—including their feathers, skin, beaks, claws, and even their flesh and internal organs.
Ayam Cemani chickens have an almost metallic black sheen. Stunning, right?
In the past, in the United States, fully grown Ayam Cemani chickens have sold for up to $2,500.
The black coloration of this breed is due to a dominant gene that causes excess pigmentation, a condition called fibromelanosis.
Ayam Cemani hens lay cream-colored eggs. However, the myth that these chickens have black blood is false.
In the 1990s, Ayam Cemani chickens were first imported to Europe. In Indonesia, these chickens are believed to have “mystical” powers, but that claim should be taken with a grain of salt.
