Goth Chicken Is All Black, From Its Feathers To Its Bones

To say that the Ayam Cemani is the world’s most distinctive chicken is an understatement. The black chicken isn’t just dark; it’s completely black—right down to its bones! The internal organs and muscles of these Goth fowls, which are native to Indonesia, are also inky. Its eggs, on the other hand, are a nice cream color.

So, how does this happen? This darkness is induced through genetics, according to Paul Bradshaw of Greenfire Farms, a well-known Ayam Cemani breeder. “The mutation,” Bradshaw told Gizmodo, “produces around 10 times the amount of melanin [black pigment] as a regular chicken.” As a result, the feathers of the Ayam Cemani shimmer with iridescent greens and purples, creating a “riveting” effect.

The black chicken has an unearthly look due to its remarkable appearance. The birds were kept as part of rituals on the Indonesian island of Java for centuries. They were given spiritual value and, as a result, were never eaten.

The USDA now prohibits the importation of live chickens from Indonesia, but Greenfire Farms in Northern Florida has managed to get the breed to the US. The hens are used for all kinds of ceremonies here. “We were asked by New York magazine to supply an Ayam Cemani model for their holiday gifts issue,” Bradshaw explained, “and after we flew him to New York, our rooster patiently allowed himself to be draped in million-dollar jewelry and trussed with a red ribbon while being photographed under bright lights.” ” “He was unbothered by all the attention, and he soon jetted back to Florida for a happy reunion with his flock of hens,” the author continues. The life of a supermodel, eh?”