The definition of black hen breeds will depend on who’s speaking. The time period would possibly check with a breed that’s really all black — feathers, comb and wattles, beak, shanks and toes, pores and skin, and even bones.

However some hen breeds with black pores and skin and different physique elements have varieties with different plumage colours apart from black. Many chickens with black plumage wouldn’t have black pores and skin. And a few breeds have just one coloration selection — black.

Why Chickens Are Black

Black plumage is the results of the black pigment melanin. Hyperpigmentation, brought on by the genetic mutation fibromelanosis, leads to an extreme quantity of melanin all through a hen’s physique.

A couple of breeds worldwide categorical hyperpigmentation. Greatest identified in the USA is the Ayam Cemani from Indonesia, the identify of which suggests “completely black hen.”

Sweden has the Svarthöna, or “black hen.” India has the Kadaknath, or “hen with black flesh.” This mutation is so uncommon that geneticists consider all hyperpigmented breeds have a single widespread ancestor that developed the mutation some 6,000 years in the past.

Many individuals worldwide worth the meat of fibromelanistic chickens for its well being advantages. The meat has a better than standard quantity of the antioxidant carnosine, a protein constructing block that’s vital for a lot of regular physique features. It additionally has potential to delay the growing old course of.

All-Black Hen Breeds

Among the many few really melanistic hen breeds worldwide, these three can be found in the USA:

Ayam Cemani — This fibromelanistic breed involves us from Indonesia and is black by way of and thru. For particulars about this beautiful breed, see our weblog devoted the uncommon Ayam Cemani

Black Silkie — Originating in Asia, bantam Silkies are available in many coloration varieties apart from black. Along with having the fibromelanistic mutation, additionally they have a silky-feather mutation, which causes feathers to lack barbicels and thus look extra fur-like. For extra info on this breed, go to our weblog about Silkies

Black Sumatra — Just like the Silkie, the Black Sumatra can also be from Asia and has just a few different coloration varieties along with black. Moreover being good-looking, the Sumatra is the perfect flyer of all hen breeds.

Black-Solely Breeds

Some breeds had been initially solely black, however later different coloration varieties appeared from sports activities or from crossbreeding. Black stays the one selection for this breed:

Spanish — From Spain, the Spanish hen has oversize pure white earlobes, leading to names reminiscent of White Confronted Black Spanish or clown confronted hen. This breed has a black beak and darkish slate shanks and toes, however pores and skin and bones of regular coloration.

Breeds with Black Varieties

In hen breeds which have multiple coloration selection, black is commonly the commonest one. Not solely do these chickens look elegant, however their black plumage makes them particularly predator resistant.

With the exceptions indicated beneath, these breeds have black or darkish beaks, shanks, and toes. Their pores and skin and bones are of regular coloration.

Ameraucana — Developed in the USA, this hen lays eggs with blue shells. Basically, the darker the plumage, the deeper blue the shells might be.

Australorp — This dual-purpose breed comes from Australia and is the truth is the nation’s nationwide hen. The black selection is finest identified in the USA, though Australia acknowledges each a white and a blue selection.

Cochin — Originating in Asia, the Cochin is available in many coloration varieties. However even the black selection has a yellow beak, shanks, and toes.

Crèvecoeur — This historical hen from France was initially a dual-purpose breed, although is now handled as a decorative. Black is the widespread selection in the USA, though the breed additionally could also be white or blue.

Japanese — The Japanese bantam, most likely initially from China, is available in quite a few coloration varieties. However even the black Japanese has dusky yellow beak, shanks, and toes.

Jersey Large — From the state of New Jersey, the Jersey Large is the most important of the black hen breeds. Additionally it is the heaviest of all breeds, initially meant for meat as a substitute for turkey. Black is the unique selection; white, blue, and splash Jersey Giants come from sports activities.

Previous English — The Previous English Recreation hen has been identified in England for at the least 2,000 years. It’s a particularly self-sufficient breed, and is available in an enormous variety of coloration varieties.

Rosecomb — The Rosecomb bantam is one other previous breed from England with an unlimited variety of coloration varieties. Though Rosecombs mature slowly, requiring a bit of additional care within the brooder, they’re hardy as adults.

Do Black Chickens Lay Black Eggs?

Oddly sufficient, most black hen breeds lay white or tinted eggs. A couple of breeds lay brown eggs. Notable for his or her eggshell colours are Ameraucanas, which lay blue eggs, and Marans, which lays eggs with darkish chocolate shells. No hen breed, black or in any other case, lays black eggs.

And that’s at this time’s information from the Cackle Coop.

Gail Damerow has written quite a few books about poultry, together with The Hen Encyclopedia.