There’s a rare breed of chicken called Ayam Cemani that’s completely black. They have black plumage, legs, nails, beak, and even black meat, bones, and a black tongue!
The Ayam Cemani: The All-Black Chicken Breed
Imagine carving into a roasted chicken and finding jet-black meat on your plate. That's exactly what you get with the Ayam Cemani, one of the world's most unusual and sought-after chicken breeds. This Indonesian bird isn't just black on the outside—it's black all the way through.
Everything about these chickens is black. Their glossy, blue-ish black feathers shimmer in the light like an oil slick. Their beaks are black. Their combs and wattles are black. Even their tongues are black. But it doesn't stop there—cut one open and you'll find black meat, black bones, and black internal organs. The only thing that isn't black? Their blood, which flows red like any other chicken.
The Science Behind the Blackness
This isn't some freak accident of nature or the result of genetic modification. The Ayam Cemani's striking appearance comes from a genetic condition called fibromelanosis, which causes hyperpigmentation of the tissues. Essentially, these birds produce an excessive amount of melanin—the same pigment that colors human skin and hair.
The trait is caused by a dominant gene, meaning it's reliably passed down through generations. Breeders work carefully to maintain the all-black appearance, with pure specimens commanding premium prices in the poultry world.
A Mystical Bird With a Hefty Price Tag
In their native Indonesia, Ayam Cemani chickens have long been considered sacred and magical. Some believe the birds bring good fortune, and they've historically been used in traditional rituals. The name itself means "completely black chicken" in Javanese.
Their rarity and mystique come at a cost. While a regular backyard chicken might set you back $5-$20, a single Ayam Cemani can sell for anywhere from $200 to $2,500 or more, depending on bloodline purity and breeding quality.
What Does Black Chicken Taste Like?
You might expect black chicken meat to taste radically different, but it's actually quite similar to regular chicken—just slightly gamier and firmer. However, recent studies show Ayam Cemani meat is higher in protein and lower in fat than standard chicken breeds, with antioxidant and glucose-binding properties that make it particularly desirable in certain markets.
The meat is prized in some Asian cuisines, where black chicken soup is considered a delicacy with health benefits. But in the U.S. and Europe, most people who raise Ayam Cemani do it for show, breeding, or simply the novelty of owning one of nature's most gothic creatures.
Not Quite Perfect
While the breed standard calls for completely black features, achieving perfection is tricky. Some birds develop grey tongues instead of pure black, and occasionally you'll see lighter patches. Breeders continue working to refine the bloodlines, with different associations maintaining their own standards for what constitutes a true Ayam Cemani.
Whether you see them as mystical, bizarre, or just plain cool, these all-black chickens are a reminder that nature still has plenty of surprises up its sleeve—or under its feathers.