There is a lot of news circulating that Ayam Cemani eggs are black. In fact, this bird’s egg is brownish white like the color of other chicken eggs.
Ayam Cemani chicken eggs are expensive on the market. This chicken is famous for its very dark feather color, almost pitch black.
In Indonesia, the price of Cemani chicken varies quite a bit, but is certainly more expensive than other types of chicken. The price of this chicken ranges from IDR 300,000 – 3,000,000 (USD 19 – USD 193) depending on its uniqueness and superiority.
Meanwhile, the price for Ayam Cemani eggs ranges from IDR 30,000 – 100,000 per egg (USD 2 – USD 6,5). The price of Ayam Cemani chicken eggs is much more expensive than ordinary eggs in Indonesia, which is IDR 2,000 per egg.
Origin of Ayam Cemani
Ayam Cemani is a breed of chicken that is known for its distinctive and unique appearance. It hails from Indonesia, specifically from the island of Java.
What sets Ayam Cemani apart is its entirely black plumage, including feathers, skin, comb, wattles, and even internal organs. This breed is often referred to as the “Lamborghini of poultry” due to its striking all-black features.
Aside from its appearance, Ayam Cemani is also known for being a hardy and relatively docile breed. While it is primarily kept for ornamental purposes and as a collector’s item, it is worth noting that it is also a source of meat and eggs. However, Ayam Cemani is relatively rare and can be expensive compared to other chicken breeds.
The black coloration of Ayam Cemani is a result of a genetic condition known as fibromelanosis, which causes hyperpigmentation. This breed has gained popularity not only in its native Indonesia but also among poultry enthusiasts around the world.
It’s important to note that proper care and breeding practices are essential to maintain the purity of the Ayam Cemani breed and its unique characteristics.
As previously mentioned, Ayam Cemani Indonesia is precisely in Kedu Village, Temanggung Regency, Central Java. However, it turns out the history of this race is still a mystery.
History of Ayam Cemani
Several references to black-boned chickens are known to have been written by Marco Polo in 1298. Initially he traveled to Asia and wrote about a type of chicken that “has feathers like a cat, is black and has the best eggs”.
Unfortunately, no one explains with certainty what type of chicken corresponds to Marco Polo’s statement. Until scientists said the description referred to the American silkie.
Silkie chickens are known as chickens that have five fingers with black or cream colored feathers like cat fur. The name ‘silkie’ is taken from the texture of its fur which is like silk fur.
Based on this, Leif Anderson finally concluded that the other black chickens were most likely due to a mutation carried out by the livestock owners. Especially breeders are attracted by the novelty of the bird’s color.
There is even an anecdote that states that the presence of the Swedish Bohuslän-Dals svarthöna chicken occurred because sailors brought home a black chicken from the East Asian trade route and it ended up in Europe.
Nowadays, cemani chickens and other black chickens are relatively rare. The reason is because the color is very unlikely to occur genetically.
It’s not as easy as the people of Kedu Village, Temanggung Regency, Central Java to find cemani chicken, in the United States this chicken is difficult to find. This has happened since the bird flu outbreak, so there has been a ban on direct imports from Indonesia.
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