Black Chicken Breeds
Few chickens attract attention quite like black chicken breeds. From glossy black feathers that shine green in sunlight to chickens with unusually dark skin and other tissues, black chickens come in a fascinating range of shapes, sizes, colours, and characteristics.
But what exactly makes a chicken a "black chicken"?
The answer is more complicated than simply looking at the feathers. Some breeds have black plumage but normally coloured skin. Others have black feathers combined with dark skin, while a small number of breeds express fibromelanosis, a genetic condition that causes unusually heavy black pigmentation throughout much of the body.
That means there are several different groups of black chickens to explore.
Some are excellent egg layers, some are dual-purpose birds, some are primarily ornamental, and others are popular because of their unusual appearance.
In this guide, we'll look at 12 black chicken breeds and explain what makes each one interesting.
What Makes a Chicken Black?
Black colouring in chicken feathers is primarily associated with melanin, the pigment responsible for dark coloration.
However, not all black chickens have the same pigmentation pattern.
A Black Australorp, for example, can have beautifully glossy black feathers while having normally coloured skin. An Ayam Cemani is dramatically different because fibromelanosis causes extensive dark pigmentation in the skin and other tissues.
The American Poultry Association's show records demonstrate how many black varieties exist across different breed groups, including Black Australorps, Black Orpingtons, Black Cochins, Black Ameraucanas, Black Copper Marans, Black Sumatra, and Black Silkie bantams.
So when discussing breeds of chickens that are black, it is useful to distinguish between:
- Chickens with black feathers
- Breeds with a recognised black variety
- Breeds that are predominantly black
- Fibromelanistic chickens with extensive dark pigmentation
12 Black Chicken Breeds to Know
1. Ayam Cemani
The Ayam Cemani is arguably one of the most famous examples of an unusually black chicken.
Originally from Indonesia, the breed is known for its intense black appearance. The Ayam Cemani Breeders Association describes fibromelanosis as the genetic trait responsible for excessive black pigmentation in the skin, bones, meat, organs, and connective tissue.
Ayam Cemani have lustrous black feathers and black pigmentation in areas including the face, comb, wattles, shanks, and toes.
Despite their dramatic appearance, they do not lay black eggs. Their eggs are generally white to cream or lightly tinted.
Ayam Cemani characteristics
- Origin: Indonesia
- Plumage: Lustrous black
- Skin: Very dark/black
- Type: Ornamental
- Egg colour: White to cream/tinted
- Notable feature: Strong expression of fibromelanosis
If someone asks about an all black chicken breed, Ayam Cemani is usually one of the first breeds that comes to mind.
2. Black Australorp
The Black Australorp is one of the most popular black-feathered chickens for backyard and small-farm flocks.
Australorps originated in Australia from Black Orpington stock and were selected strongly for egg production. The Livestock Conservancy describes the breed as productive and fast growing, with a generally gentle temperament.
Black Australorps have glossy black plumage that can display a greenish or beetle-green sheen in sunlight.
They are especially attractive to poultry keepers who want a black chicken that is also a productive layer.
Black Australorp characteristics
- Origin: Australia
- Plumage: Black
- Egg colour: Tinted to light brown
- Use: Eggs and meat
- Temperament: Active but generally gentle
- Type: Dual-purpose
For a practical backyard flock, the Black Australorp is one of the types of black chickens worth considering.
3. Black Orpington
The Black Orpington is another classic black chicken.
William Cook developed the Orpington breed in England, and Black was the first Orpington variety introduced. Other colour varieties followed later.
Black Orpingtons have a broad, substantial appearance with abundant feathering.
Orpingtons have historically been valued for both egg production and table qualities, making the breed useful for poultry keepers interested in a versatile flock.
Black Orpington characteristics
- Origin: England
- Plumage: Black
- Egg colour: Light to dark brown
- Use: Eggs and meat
- Body type: Large and heavily feathered
- Personality: Generally calm and manageable
The Black Orpington is a good example of a breed where black is a recognised variety rather than the only possible colour.
4. Black Jersey Giant
If you want a large black chicken, the Black Jersey Giant deserves attention.
The Jersey Giant was developed in New Jersey during the late nineteenth century. John and Thomas Black originally developed the breed with the goal of producing a large table bird that could compete with turkey.
The Livestock Conservancy lists mature Jersey Giant males at approximately 13–15 pounds and females at approximately 10–11 pounds.
Black Jersey Giant characteristics
- Origin: New Jersey, USA
- Plumage: Black
- Egg colour: Light cream to dark brown
- Use: Eggs and meat
- Size: Very large
- Temperament: Calm and friendly
Black Jersey Giants are particularly interesting for keepers who want one of the biggest black chicken breeds available.
5. Black Silkie
The Black Silkie combines black colouring with one of the most unusual feather types in the chicken world.
Silkies have feathers with a silky, fur-like appearance because their feather structure lacks the normal barbicels that create the smooth surface of conventional chicken feathers.
The black variety also carries the fibromelanistic trait associated with dark skin.
Black Silkies are generally kept as ornamental birds, pets, exhibition birds, and broody hens rather than as high-production commercial layers.
Black Silkie characteristics
- Type: Bantam
- Plumage: Silky black
- Skin: Dark/black
- Use: Ornamental, exhibition, pets
- Appearance: Soft, fluffy, unusual feathering
- Notable trait: Five toes and feathered legs
If your definition of an all black chicken breed includes unusual feather texture as well as colour, the Black Silkie is particularly distinctive.
6. Black Sumatra
The Black Sumatra is an elegant ornamental chicken originally associated with the Indonesian islands of Sumatra, Java, and Borneo.
The Livestock Conservancy describes Sumatra chickens as having long flowing plumage, abundant tail feathers, and a rich green sheen. The black variety was admitted to the American Poultry Association's Standard of Perfection in 1883.
Black Sumatras have a graceful appearance rather than the heavy body shape seen in breeds such as the Jersey Giant.
Black Sumatra characteristics
- Origin: Indonesia
- Plumage: Black with green sheen
- Use: Ornamental
- Egg colour: White to tinted
- Temperament: Active and alert
- Appearance: Long, flowing tail
They are particularly attractive for poultry keepers interested in ornamental types of black chickens.
7. Black Cochin
The Black Cochin is a large, heavily feathered chicken with a distinctive appearance.
Cochins originated in Asia and became extremely popular among poultry enthusiasts during the nineteenth century. The Livestock Conservancy describes them as friendly and docile, with brown eggs and strong broody tendencies.
The black variety has deep black plumage combined with the heavily feathered legs and feet characteristic of the breed.
Black Cochin characteristics
- Type: Large fowl
- Plumage: Black
- Egg colour: Brown
- Use: Eggs, ornamental, pets
- Temperament: Friendly and docile
- Legs: Heavily feathered
Black Cochins can make an eye-catching addition to a backyard flock where appearance and temperament are important.
8. Black Ameraucana
The Black Ameraucana combines dark plumage with one of the most desirable egg colours in backyard poultry: blue.
Ameraucanas are recognised for producing blue-shelled eggs, and the breed includes several recognised colour varieties.
The Black Ameraucana is therefore an interesting choice for anyone who wants a dark-feathered chicken while also adding blue eggs to their basket.
The American Poultry Association continues to include Ameraucana among its recognised exhibition categories, and Black Ameraucana birds have appeared in recent national show results.
Black Ameraucana characteristics
- Plumage: Black
- Egg colour: Blue
- Type: Small to medium-sized
- Use: Eggs and exhibition
- Notable feature: Blue eggs
This is a great example of why black chicken breeds do not all produce brown or white eggs.
9. Black Copper Marans
The Black Copper Marans is famous for combining dark plumage with exceptionally dark brown eggs.
Marans originated in France, and Black Copper is one of the best-known varieties.
The American Poultry Association's recent national show records include Black Copper Marans among the recognised exhibition birds.
Black Copper Marans have predominantly black plumage with copper colouring, particularly around the hackle and other specified feather areas.
Their dark reddish-brown eggs are one of the primary reasons poultry keepers seek out this variety.
Black Copper Marans characteristics
- Origin: France
- Plumage: Black with copper
- Egg colour: Dark reddish-brown
- Use: Eggs and meat
- Notable feature: Very dark egg shells
- Type: Large fowl
If you are searching for black chickens specifically because of unusual egg colours, Black Copper Marans are worth researching.
10. Black Crèvecoeur
The Crèvecoeur is a historic French breed known for its black plumage and unusual head furnishings.
The Livestock Conservancy describes the Crèvecoeur as one of France's oldest standard-bred chicken breeds. The black variety was recognised by the American Poultry Association in 1874.
These birds have a distinctive crest, beard, and unusual V-shaped comb.
Black Crèvecoeur characteristics
- Origin: France
- Plumage: Black
- Egg colour: White
- Use: Eggs, meat, ornamental
- Appearance: Crest and beard
- Temperament: Active but docile
The Crèvecoeur is an excellent choice for someone looking beyond the most familiar breeds of chickens that are black.
11. White-Faced Black Spanish
The White-Faced Black Spanish is one of the most visually distinctive black chickens.
This historic Mediterranean breed has glossy greenish-black plumage and enormous white facial and earlobe areas.
The Livestock Conservancy lists the breed as a good layer of large chalk-white eggs, while noting that the chicks can be flighty and the breed is active and noisy.
White-Faced Black Spanish characteristics
- Origin: Spain/European Mediterranean heritage
- Plumage: Greenish-black
- Egg colour: Chalk white
- Use: Eggs
- Personality: Active and curious
- Distinctive feature: Large white face and earlobes
This breed shows that a black chicken does not necessarily need to be completely black from head to toe.
12. Black Old English Game
The Old English Game comes in many colours, including black.
This historic breed is known for its compact body, active behaviour, strong foraging ability, and traditional game-fowl heritage. Today, it is primarily kept for exhibition and ornamental purposes.
The Livestock Conservancy notes that Old English Game chickens are extremely active and flighty and are generally better suited to experienced keepers than beginners.
Black Australorp Pullets
Black Cochin
Black Copper Marans
Black Jersey Giant Pullets
Black Silkie Pullets
French Black Copper Marans Chicken
All-Black Chicken Breeds vs Black-Feathered Chicken
The phrase all black chicken breed can be misleading because "black" can describe different characteristics.
A chicken can have:
- Black feathers with normal skin
- Black feathers with dark legs
- Black feathers and dark skin
- Black pigmentation throughout much of the body
Ayam Cemani is one of the clearest examples of extensive fibromelanism. Its breed standard calls for black plumage and intense black pigmentation in the comb, face, wattles, earlobes, shanks, and toes.
By contrast, Black Australorps and Black Orpingtons are primarily recognised for their black plumage rather than having every body tissue heavily pigmented.
So if you are researching breeds of chickens that are black, always look at the complete breed description rather than assuming that black feathers mean black skin.
Frequently Asked Questions About Black Chicken Breeds
What are black chicken breeds?
Black chicken breeds are breeds or recognised varieties that feature predominantly black plumage. Some, such as Ayam Cemani, also have extensive dark pigmentation in the skin and other tissues.
What is an all-black chicken breeds?
The phrase all black chicken breed is commonly used to describe chickens that appear black across most or all visible areas. Ayam Cemani is one of the most notable examples because fibromelanosis causes extensive black pigmentation.
Are all black chicken breeds Ayam Cemani?
No. Ayam Cemani is only one black chicken breed. Black Australorps, Black Orpingtons, Black Jersey Giants, Black Cochins, Black Silkies, Black Sumatras, and several other breeds can also have predominantly black colouring.
Do black chicken breeds lay black eggs?
No. Chickens do not naturally lay black eggs simply because their feathers are black. Egg colour depends on the breed and genetics.
What black chicken breeds lays blue eggs?
Black Ameraucanas are a notable example of a black-feathered chicken that can lay blue eggs.
What black chicken breeds lays dark brown eggs?
Black Copper Marans are particularly well known for producing dark reddish-brown eggs.
What is the largest black chicken breeds?
The Jersey Giant is among the largest chicken breeds, and the Black Jersey Giant is its original colour variety. The Livestock Conservancy lists mature males at approximately 13–15 pounds and females at approximately 10–11 pounds.
Are black chicken breeds rare?
It depends on the breed. Black Australorps and Black Orpingtons are relatively familiar, while breeds such as Ayam Cemani, Sumatra, Crèvecoeur, and White-Faced Black Spanish are more specialised or less common in many poultry communities.
Which black chicken breeds are good for beginners?
Some black varieties can work well for beginners, particularly calm, manageable breeds. However, breed temperament varies considerably. Old English Game, for example, is described by The Livestock Conservancy as highly active and flighty and is not recommended for inexperienced keepers or children.