The Ayam Cemani has definitely had folks speaking excitedly about it over the previous couple of years.

It’s a whole blackbird – inside and outside, in order you may think about, it has been related to the Darkish Arts, particularly in its’ personal nation of Indonesia.

On the present time, they continue to be a fairly uncommon hen and are very exhausting to acquire (respected US breeders are offered out till 2019!).

On this article, we are going to take an in depth have a look at these fascinating and weird birds and assist you determine should you want them in your flock!

Background and Historical past of the Ayam Cemani

The beginnings of the Ayam Cemani are imprecise, to say the least.  It probably originated in Sumatra, the place the unique breed is now extinct.

The Ayam Cemani is commonly related to a gaggle of breeds referred to as Kedu from the central plains of Java.

It’s believed to be an offshoot of the Ayam Bekisar hen, which lives on a small island in Indonesia.

The Ayam Bekisar originated from matching the inexperienced jungle fowl with some domesticated crimson jungle fowl.

This was a tough course of as sure crosses might be infertile.

Apparently, this fowl has a really distinct crow and was utilized by seafarers as foghorns on the boats – a observe nonetheless used in the present day.

Even the title has confused meanings: Ayam means hen within the Indonesian language, however Cemani can both imply the ‘village of Cemani’ in native dialect or ‘strong black’ in Sanskrit. You possibly can take your choose.

It’s stated by some of us to be a landrace hen, however there may be proof that it was a developed breed sooner or later. It isn’t a hen of the ‘frequent folks.

Individuals of wealth and neighborhood standing have these birds as standing symbols and take nice care of them.

They’re regarded as good luck charms, with the blood and different elements of the hen being utilized in conventional drugs preparations.

The Ayam Cemani has magical powers and facilitates communication between the residing and the spirit world.

As such, it’s used as a sacrificial hen to please the gods. Its’ flesh is never eaten in Indonesia.

They had been first imported to Europe in 1998 by a Dutchman named Jan Steverink.

Ayam Cemani Look and Breed Commonplace

Look

Ayam Cemanis is a placing sight. Their all-black feathers have a beetle-green iridescence in daylight that’s beautiful.

They aren’t an excessively giant fowl; the boys weigh in round 4.5-6.5lb, with the ladies coming in at 3.5-4.5lb, respectively, so extra of a medium-sized hen.

In look, they’re sturdy and muscular with close-fitting feathers, not in contrast to a sport hen. They strike a assured pose and are at all times alert.

Breed Commonplace

As of now, the Ayam Cemani will not be acknowledged by the American Poultry Affiliation. The US Ayam Cemani membership is at the moment engaged on a typical of perfection for this breed.

The usual description under is from the Dutch commonplace of perfection.

• The hen ought to stand upright, alert – nearly ‘game-like.
• The physique is of medium dimension, slim, agency, and muscular.
• It should have a reasonably broad breast and a medium again, which slopes from the neck. The wings are lengthy and robust, arising from extensive shoulders.
• The tail is held reasonably excessive. Thighs are highly effective and muscular. The hen ought to have 4 toes to every foot.
• Feathers are all black and are close-fitting to the physique. Pores and skin, eyes, wattles, and comb ought to all be black. It’s best to see no different colour.
• The feathers might present a beetle-green to purple iridescence in daylight.

Temperament and Disposition of the Ayam Cemani Breed

Cemani’s usually appears to be a pleasant and likable hen. They’re clever, mild, and docile – together with the roosters.

Ayam Cemani breed has been described as flighty, however most individuals who’ve them or elevate them say this isn’t so. They’re simple to deal with and low upkeep fowl.

They’re fairly a winter hardy shaking off the Vermont winters simply when given the applicable housing and shelter.

Since they originated in Indonesia, it’ll go with out saying that they’ll tolerate warmth fairly properly additionally.

Ayam Cemani Egg Laying

The Ayam Cemani is a reasonably poor egg layer. On common, they may lay round 80 eggs per 12 months, which is round 1 egg per week.

They do appear to go ‘off lay’ for an prolonged time frame. Apparently, they may lay 20-30 eggs after which cease laying.

This may be as much as 6 months, after which they may begin yet again!

In comparison with the scale of the hen, the eggs are fairly giant, and they’re cream-colored with a really slight pink tint (not black).

I’ve seen a number of photographs that present black eggs – relaxation assured, these are pretend eggs.

Some of us state they aren’t broody, and but others say they are often broody. This can be on account of variations within the bloodlines obtained.

They have an inclination to make good moms and care properly for his or her chicks.

Frequent Well being Problems with the Ayam Cemani Rooster

There aren’t any well being points that I might uncover, however it is a good place to explain the fibromatosis of the Ayam Cemani.

The hen has a mutant fibromelanistic gene – a gene that deposits extreme black pigment.
This irregular accumulation of melanin makes the pores and skin and tissues seem black.

Three different birds solely carry this genetic trait – the Silkie, the Svart Hona from Sweden, and the Kadaknath – a hen of the Madhya Pradesh area of India.

The blood is crimson however stated to be darker than regular, though the bone marrow is black.
In all different facets, the Ayam Cemani is a wholesome and strong hen.

It doesn’t appear to be vulnerable to any explicit hen ailment.

Is the Ayam Cemani Proper for You?

If you need so as to add a few these black beauties to your flock, you had higher save your pennies.

An unsexed chick from them will set you again $199.00, or a sexed juvenile is a cool $400.00 – not for the faint of coronary heart or anybody in need of funds!

After all, you may get cheaper birds, however they may normally be of inferior high quality – as at all times, buyer-beware.

Described as pleasant however not notably ‘cuddly,’ so it’s not actually a lap hen. They may take feed out of your hand, in order that they definitely are usually not stand-offish with folks.

Many individuals purchase them as pets or eye sweet – they definitely are uncommon and noteworthy.

Abstract

The Ayam Cemani has in all probability been round for 100 years or so, at finest guess, however has solely come to the eye of hen lovers pretty lately within the Nineteen Nineties.

Since that point, they’ve captured the creativeness and hearts of many of us.
Contributing to the rareness of the hen is the ongoing menace of Avian Influenza.

As a lot of the breeding inventory comes from Indonesia, the US importation restrictions are extreme to stop additional illness outbreaks.

Do you’ve got any of those black jewels? Tell us what you’re keen on about them within the feedback part under…

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