General Information
- Breed Purpose
- Ornamental
- Comb
- Single
- Broodiness
- Poor
- Climate Tolerance
- Fair
- Egg Productivity
- ± 70 eggs annually
- Egg Size
- Medium
- Egg Color
- Cream to tan
- Breed Colors/Varieties
- Black
- Breed Size
- Large fowl
- Color
- Black
Mystical, unusual, rare and shrouded in mystery, the Ayam Cemani breed is hard to ignore, or forget, once seen in the flesh. The word "Cemani" means "total black" and best describes this unusual breed that is rumoured to be black as tar right down to it's organs! Pure Cemanis sport black combs, wattles, skins and feathers. A look inside their mouths should show a black tongue as well.
Originally from Indonesia, off the island of Java, the breed is shrouded in mystery. Little is known about the origin of the breed, except that they have been used for centuries by warriors and shamans as sacrifices, or to bring good luck and wealth to their owners. The breed was reintroduced to Europe by a Dutch breeder by the name of Jan Steverink and has since been introduced to the United States as well. Pure Cemanis are highly sought after and steadily gaining popularity with breeders in Europe, the UK and USA.
Ayam Cemani egg
Ayam Cemani chicks
Ayam Cemani juvenile
Ayam Cemani hens
Ayam Cemani rooster
For more information on this breed and their owners' and breeders' experiences with them, see our breed discussion here: https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/chicken-breed-focus-ayam-cemani.1072107/