The Ayam Cemani is a rare breed of chicken native to Indonesia. It has a dominant gene that leads to hyperpigmentation(fibromelanosis) making the chicken mostly black, including its feathers, beak, and even internal organs. Because it has much more muscle in their thighs than other chickens, the Cemani is a very popular gamecock choice for cockfighting in Bali. This increased muscle makes it much faster than other chickens.... Also is known to be extremely expensive compared to other breeds as an adult might go for $9000, and the egg can go for $16.
Origin
The breed originated in Indonesia as a pure breed, and has most likely been used by people since the 12th century for religious and mystical practices.
The breed has a written description by Dutch colonizers and was first imported to Europe in 1998 by Dutch breeder Jan Steverink.[citation needed] Currently, this breed of chicken is maintained in the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, Slovakia, Sweden, Italy, USA and Czech Republic. Ayam Cemani may have also made it's way to Europe with Dutch sailors.
Description
The ideal standard is for their beaks, tongues, combs and wattles to be black, and even their meat and internal organs can only be black or grey. However, their bones, contrary to popular belief, are not black. Normally the blood is colored. They are a medium sized chicken with a unique appearance. They are usually a somewhat social bird but they are still relatively skittish. The black coloration comes from an overload of pigmentation of the tissues, as a result of a condition called fibromelanosis. Fibromelanosis also occurs in some other black or blue skinned chicken breeds, like the Silkie.The roosters are 2–2.5 kg and the hens are 1.5–2 kg . The hens lay tinted or cream-colored eggs, but they are generally poor setters and rarely hatch out their own chicks. Eggs average 45 g .