When we hear about black meat chicken with black skin and bones, we normally think about Ayam Cemani – a rare and expensive chicken from Indonesia. But do you know that there are other chickens with black meat and bones? The level of blackness might differ and some of these chicken breeds might be related to each other but let’s take a look at the five chicken breeds with black skin, meat, and bones.
Chickens with black meat and bones do not necessarily have black feathers (plumage). One of them does even have white plumage. Interesting right? So here are the five chickens with black meat and their prices are not also pocket-friendly to an average Joe.
The Six Black Meat Chicken Breeds
1. Ayam Cemani
Ayam Cemani is arguably the king of blackness. It is a rare and expensive breed of chicken that originated in Indonesia. Some people believe the breed is a descendant of the Ayam Bekishar.
The Ayam Bekishar originated by crossing green jungle fowl and domesticated breeds. There is evidence of this and it’s quite tricky to do because not all of the offspring created are fertile. Others believe that the breed is a landrace breed.
These black chickens were kept and used for their ‘mystical’ qualities. They are especially sought after in Asian countries and are thought to have medicinal powers. In the Philippines, many Ayam Cemani breeders call it “medicinal chicken” although the reason why the chicken becomes a medicine is not clear. The price of Ayam Cemani is something that raises everyone’s eyebrows as well. A day-old Ayam Cemani chick in the Philippines would cost around P800 to P1,200 depending on the category of blackness.
2. Chinese White Silkie
Silkie is another black meat chicken with an extremely unique appearance. The Silkie (sometimes spelled Silky) is a breed of chicken named for its atypically fluffy plumage, which is said to feel like silk and satin. The breed has several other unusual qualities, such as black skin and bones, blue earlobes, and five toes on each foot, whereas most chickens only have four.
Silkies are so unusual that they have been described as the “poodles of the chicken world.” The scientific name for the Silkie is Gallus domesticus. Other names for the Silkie are Chinese Silkie chicken, Bearded Silkie, or Bantam Silkie. Silkies have other colors like buff but white is the most popular. They originated in China.
A day-old Chinese Silkie in the Philippines would cost around P350 to P800 depending on the seller. Silkies are not hard to find in the country and several birds are being offered online through social media like Facebook.
3. Kadaknath Chicken
Kadaknath, also called Kali Masi (“fowl having black flesh”), is an Indian breed of black meat chicken. They originated from Dhar and Jhabua, Madhya Pradesh, Bastar (Chattisgarh), and the adjoining districts of Gujarat and Rajasthan, covering about 800 square miles (2,100 km2). These birds are mostly bred by the rural poor tribals and Adivasi groups. The Kadaknath is considered to be sacred; after Diwali it is sacrificed to the Goddess. There are three varieties: jet black, golden, and pencil. The breed’s meat has a fat content of 0.73–1.03% compared to the 13–25% of most other chicken breeds. The meat from this breed has a geographical indication (GI Tag) tag that was approved by the Indian government on 30 July 2018.
Although there is no clear evidence, it is believed that Kadaknath is related to Ayam Cemani of Indonesia as they are closely similar in appearance and level of blackness. We don’t have any information yet if there are pure breeds of Kadaknath in the Philippines.
4. Svarthöna, a Swedish Black Chicken
Svarthöna, Bohuslän-Dals svarthöna, or Swedish Black Rooster, Hen or Chicken is a Swedish landrace of domestic black meat chicken that is considered to have originated from Ayam Cemani / Kadaknath breeds of chickens transported from Mozambique to Norway by sailors sometime in the 17th century. The Svarthöna has since adapted to a northerly climate but has retained the rare quality of black skin and connective tissue.
The current form of Svarthöna has been given the status of a landrace. All Swedish entries in gene banks can be traced to a group of chickens that came to Sweden around the turn of the 19th century. In 1956, this flock was bought by two brothers in Bullarebygd. The Swedish Association for Landrace Breeds has preserved the Svarthöna in a gene bank since 1991.
A rooster can weigh up to 2 kg, whilst hens do not exceed 1.5 kg. The eggs are small (38-48 g) with a large yolk. Svarthöna has some flight ability.
The black pigmentation found in skin and connective tissue is caused by a variant of the gene EDN3, a trait shared with the Chinese Silkie, Indonesian Ayam Cemani, and Vietnamese Black H’Mong.
5. H’mong Chicken
H’mong Chicken is a rare breed belonging to the H’mong ethnic minority people who live in the north-western mountainous provinces of Son La, Lai Chau, Lao Cai, and Bac Can. Just like any other chicken, this chicken will fight among itself to build dominance. It is like Sumatra chicken, they can kill each other and only stop fighting when a flock leader is built.
H’mong Chicken has black meat and bones. When these chicken hatches, their feathers are totally-black until they reach the age of about 5 months, then the color will start developing, except for the females. 75% of the females only come in solid colors such as solid black or solid blue. This chicken also has valuable medicine as well as energizing food. This is why it is often consumed as a favorite dish and often seen on the menus of restaurants in Ha Noi, Vietnam.
6. Ulikba Chicken
Ulikba Chicken is not officially a breed of chicken. The term “ulikba” is an informal Filipino term for “black”. Ulikba chickens are believed to be descendants of Ayam Cemani or Kadaknath. Their blackness differs in level. Some are all black with black feathers but some that are crossed with native and other chickens have different colors of plumage. Ulikba chicken is a native version of Ayam Cemani.
Ulikba chickens have been around since a long time ago in the Philippines but rural farmers do not give it higher value until recently when urban chicken farming was growing and people who value its uniqueness started to raise its price. If you want to grow a black chicken, Ulikba is the best choice and is budget-friendly.
Questions Related to Black Chicken,
Why is some chicken meat black?
The more myoglobin, the darker the meat and the richer the nutrients. Myoglobin provides muscles with the oxygen required for exercise and movement. Since chickens are flightless birds, they use their legs and thighs to get around, making those parts darker than the breasts or wings.
Is black meat healthy?
Iron and zinc, which are important for a healthy immune system, are present in much higher quantities in dark meat than in white meat. Dark meat also has higher quantities of B vitamins, like thiamine, niacin, and B12, all of which help regulate the body’s metabolism.
Is black chicken Natural?
There are more than five breeds of chicken that have black insides, and all of them possess the same genetic mutation. A scientist explains how it came about. The Ayam Cemani chicken may be the most deeply pigmented creature on earth.
What kind of chicken is all black?
The Ayam Cemani is the blackest chicken breed in existence. It is completely black, inside and out, except for its blood which is a very dark red.
Does dark meat chicken taste different?
Whether one tastes better comes down to preference. Dark meat typically has a fattier, juicier taste than white meat, which can mean more flavor. White meat dries out faster than dark meat, leading to a milder taste. Whether juicy meat tastes better than dryer meat, is up to your personal preference.
Is dark meat chicken high in cholesterol?
In general, poultry without skin and white meat cuts contain less cholesterol and saturated fats.
How rare is a black chicken?
Black meat chickens are rare and expensive. Although Ayam Cemani is leading the black chicken meat popularity, there are more Chinese Silkies than Ayam Cemani.
Are black chickens more nutritious?
Eight of the 18 amino acids found in black chicken meat are essential for human health. Black meat is often considered to be better than white chicken because it contains 24 percent linoleic acid versus 21 percent in white chicken.
See Also:
- The Health Benefits of Feeding Garlic to Chickens
- 5 Toed Chicken Breeds
- Rhode Island Red in the Philippines: What You Need to Know
- How to Mix Chicken Feeds and Reduce Cost by 50%
- Brown Eggs Production: A Case Study