This Rare "Goth" Chicken is the Newest Craze in the Poultry World
It's not every day people get riled up about a chicken, but the Ayam Cemani isn't just any old bird. Dubbed the "Lamborghini of poultry," this charcoal-colored chicken from Indonesia is not only completely black in appearance, but all of its internal organs, muscles, and bones are black as well.
Caused by a genetic mutation, the effect is known as fibromelanosis. It may sound alarming but it simply means that this bird produces about 10 times more melanin than the average chicken, according to Science Daily. This process begins when the chicken is in embryo, resulting in the most adorable little chicks.
There are only two areas of the body that aren't affected by the chicken's mutation, according to Paul Bradshaw of Greenfire Farms, one of the most well-known and reputable breeders of Ayam Cemani in the U.S. The chickens still produce cream-colored eggs (about 60 to 100 a year), and their blood is red because of hemoglobin.
On the Indonesian island of Java, the rare bird is even believed to hold mystical powers in its black meat and has been used in rituals as far back as the 12th century, according to Nautilus. Because of its dark hue, it's seen as an emissary between the human and supernatural world, and the Javanese believe the Cemani can bring power, reputation, and wealth.
"There's a palpable magical component to the impression the chicken makes," Paul told Country Living. "There's just something otherworldly about the deep inkiness of their color. In bright sunlight, the black is iridescent with greens and purples. The effect is riveting. You can understand why native Indonesians attribute mystical power to these birds.
It's not easy to get your hands on the Ayam Cemani. The Department of Agriculture banned live chickens imports from Indonesia due to concerns over avian flu, according to the International Trade Administration, but you can still find breeders on this side of the ocean, such as Greenfire Farms, where the going price is $200 and up.
For collectors who go nuts for the bird's beautiful and exotic color, the money is worth it. "Somebody who plunks down $1,500 for a Williams-Sonoma chicken coop, they want an artisanal chicken breed," Paul told Nautilus. "They want something special, with a story, something beautiful. That's the market we serve."
(h/t Bored Panda)
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