TheAyam Cemani is a rare breed ofchicken fromIndonesia. They have a dominant gene that causeshyperpigmentation (fibromelanosis), making the chicken mostly black, includingfeathers,beak, and internal organs. The Cemani is a very popular gamecock forcockfighting in Bali because their thighs have much more muscle compared to other chickens, which leads to them being much faster.[1]
As a pure Indonesian breed, the breed originated from the island ofJava, Indonesia, and has probably been used since the 12th century for religious and mystical purposes.[3]
The breed was described by Dutch colonial settlers[4] and first imported to Europe in 1998 by Dutch breeder Jan Steverink.[5] Currently, this breed of chicken is kept in theNetherlands,Belgium,Germany,Slovakia,Sweden,Italy,USA and theCzech Republic. Ayam Cemani may have also been brought to Europe by Dutch seamen.
The optimal standard is that their beaks, tongues,combs andwattles appear black, and even their meat, internal organs, and bones are black or gray[6]. They are a medium sized chicken that are known for their unique appearance. They are usually a somewhat friendly bird but they are still relatively skittish. The birds' black color occurs as a result of excess pigmentation of the tissues, caused by a genetic condition known asfibromelanosis.[7] Fibromelanosis is also found in some other black or blue-skinned chicken breeds, such as theSilkie.[8][9]This is due to a shared duplication of a segment of their 20th chromosome involving the edothelin 3 gene (EDN3)[10]. Theroosters weigh 2–2.5 kg (4.4–5.5 lb) and the hens 1.5–2 kg (3.3–4.4 lb). The hens lay tinted or cream-colored eggs, although they are poor setters and rarely hatch their own brood. Eggs weigh an average of 45 g (1.6 oz)[5]. Average life expectancy is 6-8 years[5].
Compared to other Indonesian chickens, Ayam Cemani meat is higher protein and lower in fat[5]. It also is rich in antioxidants and has glucose-binding properties[11]. As a result, their meat is typically more expensive than that of other chickens[5].
^Lukasiewicz, Monika (23 August 2014). "Meat quality and the histological structure of breast and leg muscles in Ayam Cemani chickens, Ayam Cemani × Sussex hybrids and slow-growing Hubbard JA 957 chickens".Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture.95 (8):1730–1735.doi:10.1002/jsfa.6883.PMID25155871 – via SCI.
^Arora, G.; Mishra, S. K.; Nautiyal, B.; Pratap, S. O.; Gupta, A.; Beura, C. K.; Singh, D. P. (2011). "Genetics of hyperpigmentation associated with the Fibromelanosis gene (Fm) and analysis of growth and meat quality traits in crosses of native Indian Kadaknath chickens and non-indigenous breeds".British Poultry Science.52 (6):675–685.doi:10.1080/00071668.2011.635637.PMID22221233.S2CID25423912.
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