Black Chickens and More

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Black Chickens:

Meet the Darth Vader of chickens. They are called “Ayam Cemani” and hail from Indonesia. They have a dominant gene that causes hyperpigmentation (Fibromelanosis), making the chicken entirely black; including feathers, beak, and internal organs.

The breed originated from the island of Java, Indonesia where they have been used for religious and mystical purposes. The breed was first described by Dutch colonial settlers and first imported to Europe in 1998. They are currently kept in the Netherlands, Germany, Slovakia and the Czech Republic. 

The beak and tongue, comb, meat, bones and organs appear black but the blood of the Ayam Cemani is normally coloured.

Individual birds in the United States of America have been priced at $2500.

Gallery:

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Karaknath:

The Karaknath is an Indian breed of chicken local to the Madhya Pradesh area, which also has black flesh and feathers. The Kadaknath is popular mainly for its adaptability and for the good-tasting black meat, which is believed to infuse 

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Other unusual chickens . . .

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Onagadori:

This Japanese breed of chicken was selectively bred to have tail feathers that grow up to 5 metres in length.

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Golden Polish:

These birds are notable for their large bouffant crest of feathers, which sometimes impedes their vision. They can also be bearded.

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Silver Laced Polish:

Another variety of Polish chicken, used mainly as exhibition birds..

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Manx Rumpy:

The Manx Rumpy is one of a number of breeds of chickens without tails and rumps. The Manx Rumpies are good layers of brown eggs, and may also occasionally lay white, blue, or green eggs. It is believed that the name harks back to the tail-less Manx cat:

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Modern Game:

The Modern Game is a breed of ornamental chicken which originated in England between 1850 and 1900. Purely an exhibition bird, Modern Game were developed after the outlawing of cockfighting in Britain in the mid-19th century. Cockfighting enthusiasts turned to breeding for shows as an alternative poultry hobby.

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Serama:

This Malaysian breed is only 15cm/six inches tall and are often kept as indoor pets. They have been developed in the last 50 years and are exhibition birds, with competitions often described as "beauty contests”. The prize for the winning birds can be quite a bit of money. 

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Dong Tao:

The Dong Tao has large legs covered in red scales. A rare Vietnamese breed, it is found in the Dong Tao commune about 30km from Hanoi. Once bred exclusively to serve the royal family and mandarins, its meat is now served in expensive restaurants that cater to the wealthy with the being considered a delicacy.

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I don't know about you but I find all of this sad. sad, sad . . .