Ever wondered how much is a black chicken? Well, I was shocked when I first discovered the answer! These aren’t your regular backyard chickens – some black chicken breeds can cost as much as a used car. Yes, really!
I’ve spent weeks researching this topic for our farm, and I’m excited to share everything I’ve learned about black chicken prices, why they’re so expensive, and whether they’re actually worth the investment.
The Most Expensive Black Chicken: Ayam Cemani
Let me introduce you to the “Lamborghini of poultry” – the Ayam Cemani chicken. This rare Indonesian breed is completely black from head to toe – feathers, skin, meat, bones, and even internal organs! The only parts not black are their blood (which is normal red) and sometimes their eggs (which are cream or light tan colored).
Here’s what you might expect to pay for an Ayam Cemani
- Baby chicks: $44.99-$500 each
- Adult hens: $1,000-$2,500 each
- Roosters: Up to $3,000 each
- Breeding pairs: As much as $5,000!
Cackle Hatchery offers Ayam Cemani chicks for $44.99 each (with a minimum order of 3), which is actually one of the more reasonable prices I’ve seen. But many specialty breeders charge much more – especially for birds with perfect black pigmentation.
Why so expensive? There are reportedly fewer than 3,000 true Ayam Cemani in the entire world! Their jet-black appearance is caused by a genetic condition called fibromelanosis, which creates an excess of black pigment
Other Black Chicken Breeds and Their Prices
If the Ayam Cemani’s price tag gave you sticker shock, don’t worry! There are other black chicken breeds that won’t break the bank:
Silkie Chicken
- Origin: China
- Price: $20-$120 per bird
- Description: Fluffy feathers like silk, black flesh and bones, but not completely black on the outside
Swedish Black Chicken
- Origin: Sweden
- Price: $50-$200 each
- Description: Gorgeous iridescent black feathers that reflect purple and green in sunlight
- Rarity: Extremely rare – fewer than 500 Swedish Black hens exist worldwide!
Kadaknath Chicken
- Origin: India (Madhya Pradesh region)
- Price: Rs2,000-Rs2,500 per bird (approximately $15-$50 in US dollars)
- Meat price: Rs700-Rs1000 per kilogram
- Description: Black plumage with greenish iridescence, black meat and bones
Black Sumatra Chicken
- Origin: Indonesia
- Price: $30-$150 per bird
- Description: Known for long tail feathers on roosters (up to 3 feet!)
Why Are Black Chicken Prices So High?
After all my research, I’ve identified several factors that drive up the price of black chickens:
- Rarity: Many black chicken breeds have very small populations worldwide.
- Genetics: The fibromelanosis gene that causes the black coloration is uncommon.
- Breeding challenges: Some black chickens like Ayam Cemani are poor egg-layers and rarely hatch their own broods.
- Prestige value: Black chickens are status symbols for many collectors.
- Health benefits: In many Asian cultures, black chicken meat is believed to have medicinal properties.
Black Chicken Prices by Location
I’ve noticed that prices vary significantly depending on where you’re buying:
USA
- Ayam Cemani chicks: $44.99-$500
- Adult Ayam Cemani: $1,000-$3,000
- Silkie chickens: $20-$120
Indonesia (Original home of Ayam Cemani)
- Ayam Cemani: Rp150,000-Rp700,000 (approximately $10-$45)
- Much more affordable in their native country!
India
- Kadaknath chickens: Rs2,000-Rs2,500 ($15-$50)
- Kadaknath meat: Rs700-Rs1000 per kg
Are Black Chickens Worth the High Price?
This is the million-dollar question (or should I say the $5,000 question?)! After considering all the factors, here’s my take:
Pros of Owning Black Chickens:
- Unique appearance that’s guaranteed to impress visitors
- Potential breeding income if you become a reputable breeder
- Some varieties like Silkies make excellent pets (especially for kids)
- Black chicken meat has purported health benefits (higher in antioxidants, iron, vitamins)
Cons of Owning Black Chickens:
- Extremely high initial investment
- Generally poor egg production compared to laying breeds
- Not cost-efficient if you’re raising them for meat
- Special care requirements for some breeds
For most backyard chicken keepers looking for egg production or meat, black chickens probably aren’t the most practical choice. But if you’re a collector or enthusiast who values their unique appearance, they might be worth the splurge!
Where to Buy Black Chickens
If you’re still determined to add these exotic birds to your flock, here are some reliable sources:
- Specialty hatcheries like Cackle Hatchery (offers Ayam Cemani for $44.99 each)
- Local breeders (check poultry shows and exhibitions)
- Online marketplaces (but be careful of scams – always verify reputation!)
- Poultry auctions
When buying, make sure to:
- Ask for health certificates
- Check for color leakage (some birds advertised as Ayam Cemani may show white spots)
- Inspect parent birds when possible
- Buy from reputable sources with good reviews
Special Considerations for Raising Black Chickens
Before you invest in these exotic birds, there are some special care requirements to keep in mind:
Housing
- Minimum 4 square feet of coop space per bird
- Secure outdoor run
- Strong predator protection (these valuable birds are targets!)
Climate Needs
- Most black breeds tolerate heat well
- Some varieties like Silkies need extra winter protection
Feed
- High-protein feed recommended
- Fresh foraging material
- Treats like mealworms
One interesting observation from customer reviews of Ayam Cemani chickens: many owners report receiving roosters instead of hens. In one case, a customer ordered 6 birds and ended up with 5 roosters and only 1 hen! Something to keep in mind if you’re hoping for egg production.
Health Benefits of Black Chicken Meat
In many Asian cultures, black chicken meat isn’t just a novelty – it’s considered medicinal. According to traditional Chinese medicine, black chicken meat offers several health advantages:
- Higher antioxidant content
- More iron, minerals and vitamins than regular chicken
- Lower cholesterol and fat content
- Good for muscles and nervous system (due to carnosine content)
While scientific research on these claims is limited, the cultural significance of black chicken as a health food remains strong in many parts of Asia.
The Bottom Line: Is a Black Chicken Worth the Price?
After all my research, here’s my honest opinion: black chickens are luxury pets, not practical farm animals. Their value comes from their rarity and unique appearance, not their productivity.
If you’re fascinated by these birds and have the budget to support them, they make amazing conversation pieces and unique additions to a diverse flock. Just be prepared for the sticker shock and don’t expect them to earn their keep through egg production!
For most backyard chicken keepers, I’d recommend starting with more affordable and productive breeds, and maybe adding one or two black chickens as special additions once you’ve gained experience.
Have you ever owned a black chicken? I’d love to hear about your experiences in the comments below!
FAQs About Black Chicken Prices
Q: Why is the Ayam Cemani called the “Lamborghini of chickens”?
A: Because of its premium price tag and all-black appearance that makes it stand out from other breeds – just like a Lamborghini stands out on the road!
Q: Do black chickens lay black eggs?
A: No, despite their black appearance, Ayam Cemani chickens lay cream or light tan colored eggs. None of the black chicken breeds lay black eggs.
Q: Can I buy black chickens in the United States?
A: Yes! Several hatcheries like Cackle Hatchery offer Ayam Cemani and other black chicken breeds for sale in the US.
Q: Are black chickens good egg layers?
A: Generally, no. Most black chicken breeds are kept for ornamental purposes rather than egg production. Ayam Cemani, for example, lay only about 80-120 eggs per year.
Q: Is black chicken meat black when cooked?
A: Yes, the meat of true black chickens like Ayam Cemani and Kadaknath remains dark even after cooking, though it may lighten slightly.
Olandsk Dwarf — $100
Another highly expensive and incredibly rare chicken breed is the Olandsk Dwarf. It is named after the island of Oland (Sweden), where it comes from.
The appearance of the Olandsk Dwarf does not follow a standard, resulting in various feather plumages within the breed. However, the most common look features a white base with splashes of red, black, and gray. If you order chicks of this breed, don’t be surprised to receive different colored ones.
Being one of the smallest laying breeds, the Olandsk Dwarf is perfect for backyard hobbyists, and they require less food compared to full-sized chickens.
There are several reasons behind the high price tag of this breed. Firstly, they are extremely rare. At one point, it is believed that only fifty of these chickens existed in the entire world! Although their population has increased since then, they are still considered endangered.
Secondly, the Olandsk Dwarf’s small size is completely natural. They are classified as a landrace chicken, meaning they have developed without human intervention or selective breeding.
Due to their extreme rarity, Olandsk Dwarf pullets can cost up to $100 and are generally not readily available.
Serama — $70
The Serama chicken is a captivating and highly valued breed known for its unique characteristics. This relatively new breed originated in Malaysia and has quickly gained popularity among chicken enthusiasts worldwide.
One of the most notable features of Serama chickens is their small size. In fact, they are often considered the smallest chicken breed globally, standing between 6 and 10 inches tall.
Serama chickens come in various colors, with white and black being among the recognized options in different poultry associations. They can also have different feather types, with the Malaysian standard accepting only chickens with normal feathers that are held tightly to the body.
The main reason for the high price of Serama chickens is their small size. When purchasing Serama chicks or adult birds from breeders, the cost depends on factors such as quality, age, and gender.
On average, a Serama chicken can cost around $70, with females typically being more expensive than males.