From the lilac-breasted roller to the pheasant, birds come in many vibrant colors and variations. But what about a bird that is all black? And we don’t mean just the feathers are black, but the flesh, skin, and bones as well.
Meet the Ayam Cemani, a chicken that is native to Indonesia that is truly all black.
This Ayam Cemani has a dominant gene known as fibromelanosis, which causes hyperpigmentation throughout the entire bird’s body.
However, a common misconception about these chickens is that their blood is also black. This isn’t the case, and their blood is still red.
Although they are selectively bred to maintain the pigmentation, the Ayam Cemani isn’t a breed but a mutation. They are not easy to breed and can result in infertile offspring, making them rare and expensive.
They also breed a lot less often, about 80 eggs per year, whereas other chickens lay over 200 each year.
There has been a lot of exaggeration online about the price in recent years, saying they can cause up to $5000. The overstatement of the cost may be due to an early purchase of one of the birds from a limited supply in the United States.
In this video, we meet an Indonesian chicken farmer named Wira Kusuma, who says one of these chickens costs $700 to $1,400 depending on the quality and health of the bird.
Wira says he had always heard of black chickens while growing up but didn’t meet one until adulthood. Now, he has a special connection with his chickens.
He tells us about his relationship with his chickens while he bathes one. “Whenever I am stressed, sick, or with a heavy mind, the chickens will also be stressed and won’t eat,” Wira says. “But if I am happy, the chickens will also be happy.”
While the Ayam Cemani is believed to bring good fortune and prosperity to its owners, they were once, and possibly still are, used for religious and mystical rituals. Either way, this bird is a symbol of good luck and is greatly respected in Indonesia.
Before western culture got their hands on the Ayam Cemani, they were never eaten because of how people regarded them spiritually, and still, they are rarely eaten in Indonesia.
“For me, farming Ayam Cemani is my pride and joy,” Wira says.
And commenters on this video agree with one person saying, “I can absolutely understand the love for that chicken. I have one myself. I haft to admit; it’s a very charming breed. Such a beautiful and caring rooster.”
Another person says, “Wow, he just pets the chickens like you would a kitten. Impressive.”
It is pretty amazing to see this unique chicken and Wira, who cares for them so deeply. You can see how much he respects the Ayam Cemani and how much his chickens trust him.
Be sure to check out the video below to see Wira Kusuma and his Ayam Cemani chickens for yourself.
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