MoChara 1,632 Posted August 13, 2015 Report Share Posted August 13, 2015 Well it was no time like the present, took the plunge! Ayam cemani originate from Indonesia, they were thought to be a mythical bird, people believed they would bring good fortune (let's hope!). A lot of these we're wiped out by the avian epidemic. Nowadays they are few and far between in most places, especially for the pure breed. They are completely black in colour, feathers, skin, meat, bones and even internal organs are black. I can say their blood is not black it is a deep red. As layers they are not great, lay around 60- eggs - you'd expect black eggs right? Nope they lay cream coloured eggs. I looked at this breed last year and thought it was interesting. Then this year I looked again and persistence payed off. A man I got fowl off last year just so happened to have recently added cemani to his flock and had some eggs and 2 week old chicks.... Great coincidence! These have a huge range in price, some people pay silly money for them, $200 a chick was one I found out recently. They must be sought after by Americans at that price. Also came across an article that said one grown bird went for just under 2k (crazy). The breed is a lot smaller than I thought. Actually seeing his grown birds I was shocked at their size. The 2 week olds look around 2/3 days old. Little black fluff balls. The 6 of them were hatched under a gold top bantam hen. How could I separate them? I couldn't so I took the lot.! Pictures to follow..... 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
MoChara 1,632 Posted August 13, 2015 Author Report Share Posted August 13, 2015 Terrible pictures lol. Mother hen stressed out still so took from afar so I didn't stress her. With chicks it's important to look in their mouth to check blackness. Some chicks can hatch out with a little light grey or white on their down. Totally disappears (if 100% pure) when they fully feather. They can also have slight discolouring on their feet (always check underneath) same as feathers will disappear. As long as their skin is black and 98% of them is black then I've no issues knowing if they are purebred. But be careful there's a lot of non pure ayam cemani out there. I was lucky to known the breeder. Sexing is a no no at present will hopefully be able to tell at a month, I have a notion there is 4 pullets and 2 roo's, but that's just a stab in the dark ( or wishful thinking ) 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
walshie 2,804 Posted August 13, 2015 Report Share Posted August 13, 2015 Are you going to eat any of them? Black chicken meat sounds pretty gross. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
MoChara 1,632 Posted August 13, 2015 Author Report Share Posted August 13, 2015 Are you going to eat any of them? Black chicken meat sounds pretty gross. nah don't fancy it either walshie And at the price of them, it would be one expensive bloody roast dinner Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Chicken_man 1,651 Posted August 13, 2015 Report Share Posted August 13, 2015 Well done Mo and great thread, very informative. Hope all goes well for you :-) At them prices keep a keen eye on them. Atvb with them :-) 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Navek Posted August 13, 2015 Report Share Posted August 13, 2015 Terrible pictures lol. Mother hen stressed out still so took from afar so I didn't stress her. With chicks it's important to look in their mouth to check blackness. Some chicks can hatch out with a little light grey or white on their down. Totally disappears (if 100% pure) when they fully feather. They can also have slight discolouring on their feet (always check underneath) same as feathers will disappear. As long as their skin is black and 98% of them is black then I've no issues knowing if they are purebred. But be careful there's a lot of non pure ayam cemani out there. I was lucky to known the breeder. Sexing is a no no at present will hopefully be able to tell at a month, I have a notion there is 4 pullets and 2 roo's, but that's just a stab in the dark ( or wishful thinking ) looking good mo . I had quick search in the web after reading your post and a picture of a prepared one came up ..... It looked rank and defo wouldn't of wanted one for Sunday diner lol although they do look real smart when the Roos stand up tall and the fact that there a little bit special makes them look evern better lol Quote Link to post Share on other sites
MoChara 1,632 Posted August 14, 2015 Author Report Share Posted August 14, 2015 Thanks folks. ChickenMan - been reading up on the breed a lot this past few months, here and there. Trying to educate myself on them cause I'm going in blind with these lot, keeping them healthy and very much alive is my main aim Navek - yes their meat looks horrid lol way back when you got the odd one that layed a black shelled egg, thank got it never stuck cause that's borderline rank too They really are a lot smaller than I expected even the grown pair I saw when getting these were a shock. They have the wee sea bright type heads on them, very lean. But I'd like these to be that little bit more meatier looking its hard to explain lol. What supplements do you lot give to late hatches? I'm taking these as late chicks here cause they're only 2 weeks. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Navek Posted August 14, 2015 Report Share Posted August 14, 2015 Hi mo as for supplements for the birds I couldn't tell you what would be best as I don't rear late hatches but I think the main thing is for have them free range aslong as possible with as much good food they can get... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Navek Posted August 14, 2015 Report Share Posted August 14, 2015 Just looked on another site and some suggestion were... Turkey starter crums,,boiled egg and shel crushed up,, plenty of greens/ grass/green peas/broccoli ect ect... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
MoChara 1,632 Posted August 15, 2015 Author Report Share Posted August 15, 2015 Ta navek. All chicks and broody doing great, she's starting to round a lot more. What I do with new animals/birds whatever, is go and sit quiet with them everyday at some point. They soon get to know your not going to throw them straight in the oven I'll get better individual pictures as soon as I can for a gander Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Carraghs Gem 1,675 Posted August 15, 2015 Report Share Posted August 15, 2015 If you have a spare cockeral put my name down for him Quote Link to post Share on other sites
MoChara 1,632 Posted August 15, 2015 Author Report Share Posted August 15, 2015 If you have a spare cockeral put my name down for him well seeing as it's you gem These would suit you down to the ground in fact lol. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Carraghs Gem 1,675 Posted August 15, 2015 Report Share Posted August 15, 2015 If you have a spare cockeral put my name down for him well seeing as it's you gem These would suit you down to the ground in fact lol. I've wanted one for a while but every time I go to buy them they've just sold!! Or I'm broke Ive a thing for primitive breeds and ive 2 lonely shamo hens here with no boyfriend Quote Link to post Share on other sites
MoChara 1,632 Posted August 15, 2015 Author Report Share Posted August 15, 2015 We'll if I've one spare your welcome. There's a person on donedeal selling growers in Kilkenny. Rather they have them right now I'm unsure worth a look - do a search on donedeal you'll see the ad. Ayam cemani is listed near the bottom. Think there's is quite cheap as we'll €20 it states. May be more closer less travelling Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Rabid 1,936 Posted August 16, 2015 Report Share Posted August 16, 2015 Very nice looking hatch you ended up getting bud, I keep looking at them, they hold a real attraction to me. Love to see some more pics Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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