Black Sumatra

[danceswithronin]

They're really gorgeous, I love that shiny greenish-black plumage. I almost got one on my last chick order and got a Black Jersey Giant instead because they ideally have that same coloring but better laying capacity and not quite as flighty.

If I ever swap to a game fowl setup though, Sumatras are at the top of my wish list for sure.

 

[DEhlers]

I have a 1 year old Black Sumatra. I agree..it is hard to find much info on this breed. Mine was born last April and laid no eggs until this April. Her eggs are small and white and has laid one egg a day since she started. She was very slow growing. She is a great flier like others have mentioned. She flies low to the ground for long distances like you would see a pheasant do. She loves to talk. She is pretty much a loner and is still very skittish around my other hens. She is beautiful!

 

[casuarius]

I've bred them for many years off and on. I pride myself on breeding birds from pure lines. With Black Sumatra's, this difficult to find these days. Too many people have crossed them out. True Sumatra's do not lay much at all, and start late March or early April depending on weather. They will continue to lay up until maybe July or August and stop for the year. They also should not have a red comb or face, but roosters will have a bit of red on their throat during breeding season. They also have a black beak, and legs. The sheen should be green, and no purple to it. I've found so many people that think they have true Black Sumatra's, but they are a cross. I've actually been looking for more not related to mine. I live in NC, and have hatched several so far this year. Here are some photos of my birds. I'd love to see photos of some others!

 

[KristyMN]

I’m pretty sure my hen, who was sold to me as an Australorp, is a Black Sumatra. She’s 4.5 months and has laid one cream egg. She’s very “wild” compared to my other hens. Skittish, makes higher chirping noises than my other hens, and has no real comb yet.

 

[Barnyard Breeder]

I’m pretty sure my hen, who was sold to me as an Australorp, is a Black Sumatra. She’s 4.5 months and has laid one cream egg. She’s very “wild” compared to my other hens. Skittish, makes higher chirping noises than my other hens, and has no real comb yet.

That's no sumatra that's a black sex link of sorts

 

[KristyMN]

That's no sumatra that's a black sex link of sorts

Do you think so? I’ll have to research...all I know is she’s definitely not the Australorp I ordered!

 

[Barnyard Breeder]

I've bred them for many years off and on. I pride myself on breeding birds from pure lines. With Black Sumatra's, this difficult to find these days. Too many people have crossed them out. True Sumatra's do not lay much at all, and start late March or early April depending on weather. They will continue to lay up until maybe July or August and stop for the year. They also should not have a red comb or face, but roosters will have a bit of red on their throat during breeding season. They also have a black beak, and legs. The sheen should be green, and no purple to it. I've found so many people that think they have true Black Sumatra's, but they are a cross. I've actually been looking for more not related to mine. I live in NC, and have hatched several so far this year. Here are some photos of my birds. I'd love to see photos of some others!

These are some of the best sumatras i've seen most are like hatchery sumatras where you know sumatra is in them but you know theres other things too

 

[Barnyard Breeder]

Do you think so? I’ll have to research...all I know is she’s definitely not the Australorp I ordered!

you can tell from the silver in her chest

 

[KristyMN]

Do you think so? I’ll have to research...all I know is she’s definitely not the Australorp I ordered!

I thought Black Stars/Sex Links lay brown eggs?

 

[KristyMN]

you can tell from the silver in her chest

She’s not actually silver at all. That’s just the light. I guess I have no clue what she is!