Ayam Cemani (uh-YUM-tCHeH-maH-knEE), also known as the all-black chicken or Javan black chicken is a rare breed of chicken originated from the Indonesian island of Java. It was first bred by the Central Javanese people in Kedu district of Temanggung regencial region of Central Java, making it known by its nickname as Ayam Kedu (lit.'Kedu-origin chicken breed') nationally (in Indonesian). Cemani have a dominant gene that causes hyperpigmentation (fibromelanosis), making the chicken mostly black, including feathers, beak, and internal organs. Through human introduction by Javanese diaspora, the Cemani become very popular gamecock for cockfighting in the neighbouring island of Bali because their thighs have much more muscle compared to other chickens, which leads to them being much faster.[1]
Nomenclature
“Ayam Cemani” is the native Javanese name for the chicken breed, consists of two words, “ayam” (ꦲꦪꦩ꧀, lit.'chicken') and “cemani” (ꦕꦼꦩꦤꦶ, lit.'blackish'), inherited from its Old Javanese roots, “ayam” (lit.'fowl, cock, hen') and “cĕmĕṅ” (lit.'black').[2] In Indonesian nomenclature, it is better known by its nickname, the Ayam Kedu.
Origin
As a pure Indonesian breed, the breed originated from the island of Java, 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.[citation needed] Currently, this breed of chicken is kept in the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, Slovakia, Sweden, Italy, America and the Czech Republic. Ayam Cemani may have also been brought to Europe by Dutch seamen.
Description
The optimal standard is that their beaks, tongues, combs and wattles appear black, and even their meat and organs are black or gray. However, contrary to popular belief, their bones are not actually black. Their blood is normally colored. They are a medium sized chicken that are known for their beautiful and unique look. 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 as fibromelanosis.[5] Fibromelanosis is also found in some other black or blue-skinned chicken breeds, such as the Silkie.[6][7]
The roosters 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).
^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.
