16 Black Chicken Breeds (5 Have Black Skin!)
Black feathers are only the beginning. Some black chicken breeds have black skin, black meat, black bones, and even dark internal organs and blood thanks to a rare genetic trait called fibromelanosis.
In this guide, you’ll discover some of the most beautiful and rarest black chicken breeds in the world, including five breeds that are truly black inside and out. And yes, they’re fully edible, delicious, and commonly eaten in many countries. I’ve prepared black-skinned Silkie chickens myself and can attest to their excellent flavor. I’ll even show you what a raw black chicken looks like later in this article.
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Why Are Some Chickens Black?
Black chickens get their coloration from melanin, the same pigment responsible for dark hair, skin, feathers, and eyes throughout the animal kingdom. Breeds with black plumage produce high levels of eumelanin, the form of melanin that creates black and dark brown coloration in feathers.
In most black chicken breeds, the melanin is concentrated in the feathers. These birds have striking black plumage but do not have dark skin, meat, or bones. Breeds such as the Black Australorp, Jersey Giant, and Black Orpington fall into this category.
Some rare breeds possess an additional genetic trait called fibromelanosis, which causes melanin-producing cells to spread throughout the body during development. As a result, these chickens can have black skin, black combs, dark meat, black bones, and even dark internal organs.
Many black-feathered chickens also display a beautiful green, blue, or purple iridescent sheen in sunlight. This metallic shimmer is not caused by colored pigments. Instead, microscopic structures within the feathers reflect light at different wavelengths, creating the glossy appearance often seen in breeds such as the Black Australorp, Sumatra, and Minorca.
Which Chickens Are Truly Black?
Most black chicken breeds have black feathers but otherwise look much like any other chicken beneath their plumage. Their skin, meat, and bones are not darkly pigmented.
A small number of breeds carry a rare genetic trait called fibromelanosis, which causes melanin-producing cells to spread throughout the body during development. As a result, these chickens can have black skin, black meat, black bones, and dark internal organs in addition to their black feathers.
The best-known fibromelanistic chicken breeds include the
- Ayam Cemani
- Kadaknath
- Svart Hona
- Silkie
- H’Mong.
These birds are often referred to as “all-black chickens,” although the intensity and distribution of pigmentation can vary among breeds and individuals.
Do Black Chickens Lay Black Eggs?
No, black chickens do not lay black eggs.
Even breeds with fibromelanosis, such as the Ayam Cemani, Kadaknath, and Svart Hona, lay eggs that are cream, light brown, or tinted depending on the breed. The genetic trait responsible for their black skin, meat, bones, and organs does not affect eggshell color.
This is one of the most common myths about these black chicken breeds.
Eggshell color is determined by a separate set of genetics. For example, White Leghorns lay white eggs, Marans lay dark brown eggs, and Ameraucanas lay blue eggs regardless of the color of their feathers or skin.
If you’re hoping to add unusually colored eggs to your basket, you’ll need breeds specifically bred for blue, green, olive, or dark chocolate-brown eggs. Black plumage alone does not influence egg color.
So, while there is no such thing as a chicken that lays black eggs, there is such a thing as a black-skinned chicken that lays BLUE eggs.
Related Article: 11 Chickens That Lay Blue Eggs
Some breeds of domestic duck, including the Cayuga, which we raise here, are known for laying charcoal-gray to nearly black eggs at the beginning of the laying season, though the color gradually fades to lighter gray, green, or white as the season progresses. Among wild birds, species such as the emu and cassowary lay striking dark green eggs that can appear almost black in certain lighting.
Black Orpington
- Primary use: Dual-purpose (meat & eggs)
- Size (Roosters): 8-12 lbs (and they can get MUCH bigger too)
- Size (Hens): 6-8lbs
- Egg production (Annual): 200-250
- Egg size: Large
- Egg color: Light brown to a pinkish beige-brown; speckling is common
- Origin: England
I may be a little biased, as I raise English Orpingtons myself and many of the photos in this article are from my own flock, but they’re easily one of the most beautiful black chicken breeds. Their massive size, gentle temperament, and glossy black plumage make them a standout in any backyard flock.
Originally developed in England in the late 1800s, black was one of the original Orpington colors. Their feathers have a beautiful green iridescent sheen that shimmers in the sunlight and adds to their striking appearance.
Calm, friendly, and easy to handle, Black Orpingtons are an excellent choice for families, beginners, and anyone looking for a beautiful heritage breed that is as practical as it is attractive.
Read More: Is The Buff Orpington The Best Dual-Purpose Heritage Breed?
Black Australorp
- Primary Use: Dual–purpose (meat & eggs)
- Size (Roosters): 8½-10 lbs
- Size (Hens): 6½-8½ lbs
- Egg production (annual): 200-280
- Egg size: Large
- Egg color: Brown
- Origin: Australia
The Black Australorp chicken was developed in Australia from Black Orpington stock, but breeders focused on creating a more productive utility bird with exceptional laying ability. The result was one of the most prolific heritage egg-laying breeds ever developed.
Known for their hardiness and dependable performance, Black Australorps are an excellent choice for homesteaders looking for a breed that is both beautiful and highly productive. In fact, they set multiple egg-laying records during the early twentieth century, helping establish their reputation as one of the world’s best utility chickens.
Read More: The Australorp Chicken (Top-Choice Dual-Purpose Breed)
Modern Game Fowl
- Primary Use: Exhibition/Ornamental
- Size (Roosters): 5.5 lbs
- Size (Hens): 4 lbs
- Egg production (annual): 50
- Egg size: Medium
- Egg color: White
- Origin: England
If you’re looking for a black chicken that turns heads, the Modern Game may be it. With its long legs, upright posture, and sleek body, it looks more like a raven or crow than a typical chicken.
Originally developed from old fighting breeds, the Modern Game is now kept almost exclusively for exhibition. Despite its fierce appearance, it is generally known for being friendly, active, and surprisingly tame when handled regularly.
The black variety is particularly striking, showing off glossy plumage and an elegant silhouette unlike any other chicken breed. While they won’t contribute much in the way of eggs or meat, they’re a favorite among poultry enthusiasts who appreciate unusual and eye-catching birds.
Jersey Giant
- Primary Use: Dual-purpose (meat & eggs)
- Size (Roosters): 13-15 lbs
- Size (Hens): 10lbs–13 lbs
- Egg production (annual): 260
- Egg size: Medium
- Egg colour: Brown
- Origin: USA
True to its name, the Jersey Giant is one of the largest chicken breeds in the world. Developed in New Jersey during the late 1800s, it was originally intended to provide an alternative to the turkey for meat production.
Despite their imposing appearance, they are known for being calm, gentle birds that fit well into family flocks.
Black Sumatra Chicken
- Primary use: Ornamental (some egg-laying capabilities)
- Size (Roosters): 5lbs
- Size(Hens): 4lbs
- Egg production (annual): 100
- Egg size: Small
- Egg color: White
- Origin: Indonesia
The Black Sumatra is one of the most elegant black chicken breeds you’ll ever see. Originally from Indonesia, these birds are known for their glossy black plumage, flowing tail feathers, and stunning green iridescent sheen that seems to change color in the sunlight.
Their appearance is so striking that they’re often raised primarily as ornamental birds and frequently attract attention at poultry shows. Roosters are especially impressive, with long, graceful tails and an almost pheasant-like silhouette.
Cochin
- Primary Use: Dual-Purpose (Meat, & Egg-Laying)
- Size (Rooster): 7 lbs – 13 lbs
- Size (Hens): 7 lbs – 11 lbs
- Egg Production (Annual): 160-180
- Egg Size: Medium
- Egg Color: Light Brown
- Origin: China
If there were an award for the fluffiest black chicken breed, the Black Cochin would be a strong contender. These large, heavily feathered birds are famous for their soft, rounded appearance and their adorable feathered feet.
Originally developed in China, Cochins became enormously popular in the West during the nineteenth century and helped spark the poultry craze known as “Hen Fever.” Today, they remain a favorite among backyard chicken keepers and exhibition breeders alike.
Despite their impressive size, Cochins are known for being exceptionally gentle, friendly, and easy to handle. Their calm temperament and striking appearance make them excellent pets and show birds, while their tendency to go broody makes them useful for hatching eggs and raising chicks naturally.
La Fleche
- Primary use: Dual-purpose(meat & eggs)
- Size (Rooster): 7lbs – 8lbs
- Size (Hens): 6 lbs – 7 lbs
- Egg Production (Annual): 150-200
- Egg Size: Large
- Egg Colour: White
- Origin: France
An extremely rare breed of French dual-purpose chicken that is named for the town it originated from.
This is an all-black chicken breed with a unique comb and white lobes. They are not very docile due to their landrace history and their temperament is quite undomesticated and feral. They are purported to taste great though.
Black Java Chicken
- Primary use: Dual-purpose (eggs & meat)
- Size (Roosters): 9 lbs
- Size (Hens): 7lbs
- Egg production (Annual): 150+
- Egg Size: Large
- Egg Color: Brown
- Origin: USA
Despite the name, the Java chicken almost certainly did not originate on the island of Java in modern-day Indonesia.
The leading theory is that the breed was developed in the northeastern United States sometime before the mid-1800s from imported Asian chickens. At the time, Americans often used names like Java, Shanghai, Brahma, and Cochin rather loosely for imported fowl coming from Asia, whether or not they actually originated in those places.
The Black Java is one of America’s oldest chicken breeds and an important part of poultry history. In fact, it helped contribute to the development of several later breeds, including the Jersey Giant.
With its glossy black plumage and striking beetle-green sheen, the Black Java is every bit as beautiful as the more familiar black chicken breeds. Its calm disposition and excellent foraging ability have made it a longtime favorite among homesteaders and small farmers.
Despite its historical importance, the Black Java remains a rare heritage breed today. Raising them is not only rewarding, but also helps preserve one of America’s oldest and most influential chickens for future generations.
Croad Langshan
- Primary use: Dual-purpose (eggs & meat)
- Size (Roosters): 7 lbs -11 lbs
- Size (Hens): 5 lbs – 7 lbs
- Egg production (annual): 150
- Egg size: Large
- Egg color: Brown
- Origin: China
An excellent egg layer and meat bird, the Croad Langshan is also very suited to pasture raising.
The Croad Langshan chicken breed is unlike any other. They are very large with beautiful black plumage that has a distinctive green gloss (beetling).
Popular chicken breeds like the Orpington and the Australorp were developed from this breed! The Croad Langshan lays approximately 150 eggs per year, and they frequently go broody and will hatch their eggs.
The majority of their eggs are huge and brown; however, some of these chickens produce an incredible plum-coloured egg that is just stunning!
Black Wyandotte
- Primary Use: Dual-purpose (meat & eggs)
- Size (Roosters): 8 lbs – 9 lbs
- Size (Hens): 6 lbs – 7 lbs
- Egg Production (Annual): 200-220
- Egg Size: Large
- Egg Color: Brown
- Origin: USA
The Black Wyandotte combines practical utility with striking good looks. Its glossy black plumage, compact, rounded body, and distinctive rose comb give it a refined appearance that has made the breed a longtime favorite among backyard chicken keepers.
Developed in the United States during the late nineteenth century, the Wyandotte was bred as a hardy dual-purpose farm bird.
Read More: Wyandotte Chicken (The Most Beautiful Dual-Purpose Heritage Breed?)
Black Japanese Bantam
- Primary use: Dual-purpose (eggs & ornamental)
- Size (Roosters): 1 lbs – 1.5 lbs
- Size (Hens): 0.88 lbs – 1.12 lbs
- Egg production (annual): 80-160
- Egg size: Very Small
- Egg color: Cream
- Origin: Japan
The Japanese Bantam, or Chabo, is a breed of ornamental chicken originating in Japan. And this is a true bantam breed, which means that there is no larger chicken counterpart that came first.
It is characterized by extremely short legs and a large, beautiful, very upright tail that reaches even higher than the top of the head of the bird.
You will not get much in the way of meat from these birds; they are strictly ornamental beauties that also provide a decent amount of very small, pretty eggs.
The Black-Skinned Chicken Breeds
Most black chicken breeds are only black on the outside. Beneath their feathers, their skin, meat, and bones look much like those of any other chicken.
A small number of rare breeds carry a genetic trait called fibromelanosis, which causes excess melanin to spread throughout the body. These birds can have black skin, black meat, black bones, and even dark internal organs.
While fibromelanistic chickens are uncommon in North America, they have been raised and eaten throughout Asia for centuries and are often prized for both their appearance and their meat.
What Is Fibromelanosis?
Fibromelanosis is a rare genetic mutation that causes melanin-producing cells to spread throughout a developing chicken’s body. Scientists believe the mutation likely occurred only once in a single ancestral bird hundreds or even thousands of years ago, making all modern fibromelanistic chickens distant relatives.
The mutation affects far more than feathers. Depending on the breed, the skin, connective tissues, muscles, bones, and internal organs may all appear darkly pigmented.
The Ayam Cemani is often considered the most extreme example, while other breeds, such as the Silkie, may show a slightly less intense expression of the trait.
This mutation is so complex and peculiar that scientists are sure that it occurred once.
Most vertebrates have a gene known as endothelin 3, or EDN3, which, among other things, controls skin color. And when a normal chicken is developing, certain cells, like those in the skin and feather follicles, express EDN3, which triggers the migration of melanoblasts, or the cells that go on to create color.
https://www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/article/why-black-chickens-fibromelanosis
There is one notable exception—eggs. As noted, black chicken eggs do not exist. The pictures you see online are faked by unscrupulous people.
Chicken eggs do come in many colors, though. There are shades of green eggs, blue eggs, brown eggs, and even purple and pink eggs.
Scholarly References:
Let’s look at some pictures and facts about these beautiful and rare black-skinned breeds:
Kadaknath
- Primary Use: Dual Purpose (meat & eggs)
- Size (Roosters): 4 lbs – 4 1/2 lbs
- Size (Hens): 2.5 lbs – 3 lbs
- Egg Production (Annual): 100-120
- Egg Size: Small
- Egg Color: Cream
- Origin: India
The striking Kadaknath, also called ‘Kali Masi’ (“fowl having black flesh”), is an all-black chicken breed originating in India, where it is a treasured meat bird purported to be the tastiest and healthiest of all chicken breeds.
It is also unusually iron-rich for chicken flesh.
Due to the popularity of the meat, consumption rates are very high, while breeding rates have been low. The Kadaknath is thus at risk of becoming extinct. Programs are underway in the birds’ native India to protect this unique heritage breed.
Silkie
- Primary use: Dual-purpose (eggs & ornamental)
- Size (Roosters): 2 lbs -3 lbs
- Size (Hens): 1 1/2 lbs -2 lbs
- Egg production (annual): 100-120
- Egg size: Small
- Egg color: Cream
- Origin: China
The Silkie is one of the most recognizable chicken breeds in the world. With feathers that feel more like fur than feathers, they look less like chickens and more like tiny feathered dogs. They come in a variety of colors, but all Silkies share the breed’s distinctive black skin and dark flesh.
Originally from China, Silkies are famous for their sweet, gentle personalities. They are among the friendliest chickens you can own and are often recommended for families, children, and first-time chicken keepers.
Silkies are also legendary brooders. If you need a hen to hatch eggs and raise chicks, few breeds can match them. They’ll happily sit on eggs from other chickens, ducks, and even game birds, making them a favorite among breeders and homesteaders who prefer natural incubation.
Because of their diminutive size, they are rarely utilized for meat in North America — at least not as a primary reason. And the egg-laying can be inconsistent, too.
The flesh and skin of these chickens are completely black regardless of feather color, and they are prized in China for their meat’s taste and health benefits, especially for women, according to Traditional Chinese Medicine and tradition.
Ayam Cemani
- Primary use: Ornamental
- Size (Roosters): 4.4-5.5lbs
- Size (Hens): 3.3–4.4lbs
- Egg production (annual): 60-100
- Egg size: Small
- Egg color: Cream
- Origin: Indonesia
The Ayam Cemani is a stunning example of a black chicken breed. This is “The King of Chickens,” and the breed stands out for its beauty and uniqueness.
Commercial hatcheries do not sell the Ayam Cemani, and procuring good stock from a reputable and honest private breeder can be very pricey.
They are well-known for being completely and utterly black in every way. Their skin, feathers, and even their tongue are pitch-black. Their bones, blood, and bone marrow are similarly a dark inky color.
They are kept as a decorative breed primarily for the fortunate few who own them, and they are a sight to behold. Of course, you can also eat them and their eggs, too.
Svart Hona
- Primary Use: Egg-laying
- Size Rooster: 7lbs
- Size (Hens): 5lbs
- Egg production (annual): 250, possibly less
- Egg size: Large
- Egg color: Off-white
- Origin: Sweden
The Svart Hona is Sweden’s famous black chicken, and its name literally translates to “black hen.” Like the Ayam Cemani and Kadaknath, it carries the fibromelanosis gene, giving it black feathers, black skin, black combs, and dark flesh.
Despite its unusual appearance, the Svart Hona is known for being an active, hardy bird that adapts well to cold climates. Its alert personality and striking all-black appearance have made it increasingly popular among rare breed enthusiasts.
Many poultry historians believe the breed shares ancestry with fibromelanistic chickens from Southeast Asia, though its exact origins remain somewhat mysterious. Whatever its history, the Svart Hona is now considered one of the world’s rarest black-skinned chicken breeds.
Fibro Easter Egger
Primary use: Eggs
Size (Roosters): Unknown
Size (Hens): Unknown
Egg production (Annual): 200-260
Egg size: Medium – Large
Egg color: Blue, green, etc.
Origin: USA
The Fibro Easter Egger is a relatively new hybrid chicken that combines fibromelanistic traits with colorful egg production. Unlike traditional black-skinned breeds such as the Ayam Cemani or Svart Hona, these birds were developed specifically to produce blue, green, and olive-colored eggs while retaining dark skin and other black features.
Because they are a hybrid rather than a standardized breed, their appearance can vary considerably. Some birds are almost entirely black, while others display additional colors in their plumage. What they generally share is dark skin, dark legs, and the fibromelanistic traits that make black-skinned chickens so distinctive.
For many backyard chicken keepers, the Fibro Easter Egger offers the best of both worlds: the unusual appearance of a black-skinned chicken and a colorful basket of blue and green eggs. Their friendly temperament and reliable egg production have helped make them one of the most sought-after modern designer chickens.
Fibro Easter Egger Day Old Chicks – Meyer Hatchery
That’s the product page with photos of adults, chicks, and examples of egg color. Meyer describes them as fibromelanistic birds with black skin, legs, and lobes, and as birds that lay colored eggs.
Black Skinned Chicken Meat
The first time I encountered a black-skinned chicken was at a Chinese grocery store in Toronto. Naturally, I had to bring one home and see what it was like. The bird came fully dressed but with the head and feet still attached, making for a memorable introduction to black chicken.
Despite its unusual appearance, the meat was rich, flavorful, and not nearly as strange as it looked. Black chicken tastes much like conventional chicken, though many people describe it as having a slightly richer flavor. In several Asian cuisines, black-skinned chickens are especially prized for soups, broths, and traditional dishes.
No. That is a myth that follows certain black chicken breeds, particularly the Ayam Cemani. Black chicken eggs do not exist. There are, however, other birds that lay very dark eggs. Cayuga ducks can lay eggs with a black or charcoal-colored bloom early in the season, though the color quickly fades. Emus and cassowaries also lay dark green eggs that can appear almost black.
Some do. Most black chicken breeds only have black feathers and have the same skin color as other chickens. However, a small group of breeds carry a genetic trait called fibromelanosis, which causes excess melanin throughout the body. These chickens have black skin, dark flesh, black connective tissue, and sometimes even dark internal organs.
Black feathers absorb more solar radiation than lighter-colored feathers, which can cause black chickens to become warmer when standing in direct sunlight. In hot climates, all chickens should have access to shade, fresh water, and dust bathing areas, but these precautions are especially important for dark-colored birds.
Black-skinned chickens taste much like conventional chickens. Breed and color generally have less impact on flavor than factors such as age, diet, activity level, and how the bird was raised. Pastured birds, older birds, and heritage breeds often develop a richer flavor regardless of feather color.
Possibly. Some studies have found that Silkie chickens contain higher levels of certain nutrients, including iron and carnosine, than conventional commercial chickens. They have long been valued in Chinese cuisine and traditional Chinese medicine, where black-skinned chickens are often used in soups and restorative dishes. More research is needed to determine whether the nutritional differences are significant enough to affect human health.
The Ayam Cemani is often considered the rarest and most famous black chicken breed in the world. Its fibromelanosis causes nearly every visible part of the bird—including the feathers, skin, comb, wattles, meat, and bones—to appear black. Other rare black-skinned breeds include the Svart Hona and Kadaknath.
