The Cemani  (The Blackest Ones)                       

One of my Cemani Roosters and sire of my chicks hatching spring 2016

Ayam Cemani is an uncommon and relatively modern breed of chicken originating in Indonesia. They have a dominant gene that causes hyperpigmentation leading to the skin, feathers and even the internal organs appearing dark black 

(taken from Wikipedia)

The Cemani are often referred to as the Lamborghini of poultry due to their value.  They originated in Indonesia as a landrace (not a true breed but bred for the melanotic coloring) and were used in rituals, in China their black meat is considered medicinal.  In the rest of the world, they are an exotic breed although at this time, there is no standard of perfection by the APA.  

The Cemani were imported into the US from Europe. Indonesia has been off limits for importation of birds for many years because of disease so it's considered likely that the Cemani are impure and were outcrossed in Europe and the imports here are from those lines.  There is no documentation of this so it's speculation and there are surely some that are more pure than others but the result and the goal is the same, an entirely black chicken....from the bones, the meat, skin, eyes, comb, wattles....everything head to toe and inside to outside is BLACK.

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The lines I am starting with are Toni Marie Astin, Terry and Cindy Howard and Launi Hubbard.  I will continue to add Cemani from reputable breeders until I have all the genes needed to work with a closed flock.

Breeding the Cemani is a challenge.  The genetics of fibro are not well documented and what is documented reads like any other scientific paper so it's hard to understand.  One thing I have found is that there is no perfect way, and Very Few perfect chicks.  

Using what I have, I am building my flock based on my understanding of genetics and working with birds that are sometimes, other breeders culls.  My success will show if I am on the right track....and so far...so good.

Yes....I do have solid black Cemani but this cockerel is just stunning and I have him with 2 stunning all black hens.  The comb and wattles are notoriously difficult to get a pure black, there is often a mulberry tone to them so working with this ALL black cockerel will add this and more to my flock.  The silver leakage in his hackles is a clear marker that he is based on Er, birchen.  This is the correct base color for Cemani and with added melanizers from the hens, his chicks may be amazing!

A recently hatched Cemani chick