Ayam Cemani?

[terrig]

So I traded (at our local flea market) with a guy for two black hens; he had no idea what kind they were or why they would have leg tags. Doing some research, I've decided they are either Ayam Cemani or Swedish black hens (both are like the one pictured in the front of the other chickens). They have black combs, feet, and skin. How do I know the difference? They aren't laying, which makes me think they are maybe the Cemani. I've had them a couple of weeks and am fascinated to think I happened upon this rare breed at our local trade day.

 

[Fishkeeper]

Clearer photos would be better.
The one in the front does look like one of the full dark chickens, the one right behind her has red where she shouldn't if she is one of those breeds.
I'm not sure if there are any good ways to tell them apart for 100% certainty. Ayams tend to be slightly skinnier, I think.

Curious; why does them not laying make you think they're Cemanis? They might still be adjusting after the move.

For future reference, you should really, really quarantine new flock additions, especially adults from a non-commercial source. They could be sick with something that wouldn't show up until the stress of moving weakened their immune system.

 

[TwistedSteel]

What part of the country are you located in? Seems strange that the guy who had them knows nothing about their breed or why they had leg tags. Might want to check for local breeders of black chickens, they probably didn`t come from far away.

 

[terrig]

Actually, they started laying this weekend. I basically was asking if the laying pattern is the only way to tell the two breeds apart.

The one with the red comb is a bantam who wanted to be in the photo.

I didn't quarantine because this group is a start-over. I traded the ones I had for these pictured; long story, but the ones I had (half a dozen) were hatched at my house in a garage we never use (Surprise!). I never could convince them not to come to the garage to roost. Even after catching them in the coop for weeks at a time, if they ever escaped the confines of their coop or pen, they would head back to the house. I loved them but was tired of spending my weekends pressure washing.

Thanks for the reply.


QUOTED: Clearer photos would be better.
The one in the front does look like one of the full dark chickens, the one right behind her has red where she shouldn't if she is one of those breeds.
I'm not sure if there are any good ways to tell them apart for 100% certainty. Ayams tend to be slightly skinnier, I think.

Curious; why does them not laying make you think they're Cemanis? They might still be adjusting after the move.

For future reference, you should really, really quarantine new flock additions, especially adults from a non-commercial source. They could be sick with something that wouldn't show up until the stress of moving weakened their immune system.[/QUOTE]

ed where she shouldn't if she is one of those breeds.
I'm not sure if there are any good ways to tell them apart for 100% certainty. Ayams tend to be slightly skinnier, I think.

Curious; why does them not laying make you think they're Cemanis? They might still be adjusting after the move.

For future reference, you should really, really quarantine new flock additions, especially adults from a non-commercial source. They could be sick with something that wouldn't show up until the stress of moving weakened their immune system.[/QUOTE]

 

[terrig]

North Alabama.
Thanks for the reply.

What part of the country are you located in? Seems strange that the guy who had them knows nothing about their breed or why they had leg tags. Might want to check for local breeders of black chickens, they probably didn`t come from far away.

 

[RoostersAreAwesome]

Mixed, her body shape isn't right for either breeds.

 

[drumstick diva]

agree