Chicken breeds come in all kinds of different colors, including red chicken breeds and white chicken breeds.
However, black chicken breeds are beautiful and make a unique addition to any backyard flock.
Black chicken breeds are known for their striking appearance, with their feathers ranging from a deep, glossy black to iridescent shades of green, purple, and blue.
While there are only a limited number of black chicken breeds available, each one has its own unique set of traits and characteristics.
In this article, we will discuss:
- The top black chicken breeds
- Unique characteristics of each one
- How to decide which black chicken breed is right for you
- Some frequently asked questions
Top Black Chicken Breeds
Black chicken breeds are a unique and stunning addition to any flock.
They come in various sizes and shapes, and their feathers can have iridescent shades of green and purple in the right light.
Here are some of the top black chicken breeds:
1. Ayam Cemani
The Ayam Cemani is a rare and exotic breed that originated in Indonesia.
They are entirely black, inside and out, including their organs, bones, and meat.
They are known for their striking appearance and are highly sought after by collectors and enthusiasts.
These birds can even cost upwards of a few hundred dollars each depending on their genes and breed standard.
Ayam Cemani chickens are not great egg layers and are also not great meat birds, making this an ornamental breed.
| Weight | 3.5-5 lbs |
| Purpose | Ornamental |
| Egg Color | Cream or tinted white |
| Egg Production | 60-100 per year (1-2 per week) |
2. Black Silkie Chicken
Black Silkie chickens are a small and fluffy breed that are known for their soft, fur-like feathers.
They have a unique appearance, with black skin and bones, and their feathers have a blue-black sheen.
They are a docile and friendly breed, making them a great choice for backyard flocks, homesteads, and even as pets.
Black Silkies come in a variety of different colors including blue, buff, partridge, white, red, paint, and lavender.
These birds are also considered an ornamental breed, as they do not lay many eggs, are fairly small, and don’t have a lot of meat.
| Weight | 1.5-2.5 lbs |
| Purpose | Ornamental |
| Egg Color | Cream |
| Egg Production | 100-120 per year (2-3 per week) |
3. Jersey Giant
The Jersey Giant is one of the largest chicken breeds, with hens weighing up to 10 pounds and roosters up to 13 pounds.
Although they come in a variety of different colors, this breed is most commonly found in black.
They have a glossy black plumage, and their large size makes them excellent for meat production.
They are also known for their calm and friendly temperament and make excellent backyard companions.
Jersey Giants were originally bred for meat purposes but they are also decent egg layers, making them a dual-purpose breed.
| Weight | 10-14 lbs |
| Purpose | Dual-purpose |
| Egg Color | Brown |
| Egg Production | 150-200 per year (3-4 per week) |
4. Black Australorp
One of the most popular black chicken breeds is the Black Australorp.
They have a shiny black plumage and are known for their excellent laying abilities, with hens laying up to 300 eggs per year.
This breed is known for its docile temperament, making them a great choice for families with children and other pets.
In addition to being friendly and easy to handle, Black Australorps are also excellent layers, producing large brown eggs on a regular basis.
Australorps also come in a number of different colors, but the black variety is the most common.
| Weight | 6.5-9 lbs |
| Purpose | Dual-purpose |
| Egg Color | Light Brown |
| Egg Production | 250-300 per year (4-5 per week) |
5. Black Copper Marans
The Black Copper Marans is a French breed that is known for their dark brown eggs.
They have beautiful black feathers with a green iridescence to them, along with copper feathers around their necks.
This is a hardy breed that does well in cold climates, and they are also known for their excellent meat quality.
| Weight | 6.5-8 lbs |
| Purpose | Dual-purpose |
| Egg Color | Dark Brown |
| Egg Production | 150-200 per year (3-4 per week) |
6. Black Orpington
The Black Orpington is a large and fluffy breed that is known for their docile and friendly temperament.
They have a glossy black plumage and are excellent layers, with hens laying up to 300 eggs per year.
They are also a popular choice for meat production.
The very first Orpingtons to be bred came in black, however, today they come in many different colors.
This breed is also fairly cuddly and they make great pets.
| Weight | 8-12 lbs |
| Purpose | Dual-purpose |
| Egg Color | Brown |
| Egg Production | 150-300 per year (3-5 per week) |
7. Langshan Chicken
The Langshan Chicken is a large and elegant breed that originated in China.
They have beautiful black plumage and are known for their excellent meat quality.
These birds are also good layers, with hens laying up to 200 eggs per year.
Langshan chickens are a docile breed, however, they are not known to be overly friendly or cuddly.
| Weight | 5-8 lbs |
| Purpose | Dual-purpose |
| Egg Color | Brown |
| Egg Production | 150-180 per year (3-4 per week) |
8. Java Chicken
The Java Chicken is a hardy and robust breed that is known for their excellent meat quality.
They have a glossy black plumage and are also good layers, with hens laying up to 200 eggs per year.
They are a docile breed that does well in both cold and hot climates.
Javas also like to roam and free range but will also tolerate being confined.
| Weight | 7-10 lbs |
| Purpose | Dual-purpose |
| Egg Color | Brown |
| Egg Production | 150-180 per year (3-4 per week) |
9. Sumatra
The Sumatra is a small and agile breed that is known for their striking appearance.
They have a glossy black plumage with iridescent green and purple shades.
This is a flighty breed that does well in free-range environments and are also good egg layers.
Sumatras are not overly social or friendly and do not make great pets.
| Weight | 4-5 lbs |
| Purpose | Ornamental |
| Egg Color | White |
| Egg Production | 100-120 per year (2-3 per week) |
10. Breda Chicken
The Breda Chicken is a rare and ancient breed that originated in the Netherlands.
They have a unique appearance, with black and white barred plumage.
This is a hardy breed that is good for both meat and egg production.
Breda chickens are friendly, docile, and calm, making them a great option for families with kids and pets.
| Weight | 5-7 lbs |
| Purpose | Dual-purpose |
| Egg Color | White |
| Egg Production | 150-180 per year (3-4 per week) |
11. Minorca
The Minorca is a large and elegant breed that is known for their glossy black plumage and tall, upright combs.
They are decent layers, with hens laying up to 180 eggs per year.
These birds are also sometimes used as a meat breed, although their meat is known to be on the drier side.
Minorcas have a fun and curious personality, making them a great option for backyard flocks.
| Weight | 7-9 lbs |
| Purpose | Dual-purpose |
| Egg Color | White |
| Egg Production | 120-180 per year (3-4 per week) |
12. Black Cochin
The Black Cochin is a large and fluffy breed that is known for their docile and friendly temperament.
Cochins typically come in the color buff, but they are also commonly found in black and white.
Black Cochins have beautiful black plumage and are excellent layers, with hens laying up to 180 eggs per year.
They are also a popular choice for meat production.
This breed is considered a lap chicken, as they are fairly cuddly, docile, and tend to love their owners.
| Weight | 7-9 lbs |
| Purpose | Dual-purpose |
| Egg Color | Brown |
| Egg Production | 150-180 per year (3-4 per week) |
13. Svart Hona
The Svart Hona is a rare and exotic breed that originated in Sweden.
They have striking black feathers with iridescent green and purple shades.
Svart Honas are a hardy and robust breed that are good for both meat and egg production.
These birds love to free range and do best when given plenty of space to roam.
They are also very social and friendly, making them a great addition to any backyard flock if you can manage to find any available.
| Weight | 5-7 lbs |
| Purpose | Dual-purpose |
| Egg Color | Cream or tinted white |
| Egg Production | 200-250 per year (4-5 per week) |
14. Crevecoeur
The Crevecoeur chicken is a French breed that is known for its glossy black plumage and unique V-shaped comb.
They are a good meat breed, with a flavorful and tender meat.
However, they aren’t the best layers, with hens laying up to 160 eggs per year.
Unfortunately, Crevecoeurs are extremely rare, as they are heavily endangered.
This breed is friendly and peaceful and they handle confinement rather well.
If you can find this breed available anywhere, they are great to keep in a backyard or as pets.
| Weight | 6.5-8 lbs |
| Purpose | Dual-purpose |
| Egg Color | White |
| Egg Production | 150-200 per year (3-4 per week) |
15. La Fleche
The La Fleche chicken is a French breed that is known for their glossy black plumage and distinctive V-shaped comb.
They are a good meat breed, with tender and flavorful meat.
Unfortunately, these birds aren’t the best egg layers, with hens laying only 160 eggs per year.
La Fleche chickens also are not overly friendly or even domesticated. They actually prefer to stay away from humans mostly.
These birds are mostly kept as show birds.
| Weight | 6.5-8 lbs |
| Purpose | Ornamental |
| Egg Color | Cream or white |
| Egg Production | 140-200 per year (3-4 per week) |
Characteristics of Black Chicken Breeds
Black chicken breeds are known for their unique and striking appearance.
However, their black feathers are not their only distinguishing feature.
Here are some of the common characteristics of black chicken breeds:
- Size: Black chicken breeds come in a variety of sizes, from bantam to large fowl. Some of the larger breeds include the Jersey Giant and the Australorp, while smaller breeds include the Silkie and the Bantam Cochin.
- Temperament: Most black chicken breeds are known for their calm and friendly personalities (with a few exceptions, such as the La Fleche breed). They are typically docile and easy to handle, making them great pets for families with children.
- Egg Production: Most black chicken breeds are good layers, with some breeds producing up to 300 eggs per year. The Australorp and the Orpington are particularly good layers.
- Meat Quality: Black chicken breeds are also known for their meat quality. They are often used for meat production due to their tender and flavorful meat.
- Hardiness: Black chicken breeds are generally hardy and able to withstand cold temperatures. They are also known for their ability to forage for food, making them well-suited for free-range environments.
Overall, black chicken breeds are a great choice for anyone looking for a unique and beautiful addition to their flock.
Which Black Chicken Breed is Right for You?
Choosing the right black chicken breed can be a daunting task, especially if you are a beginner.
Here are some factors to consider when selecting a breed that suits your needs:
Egg-laying Abilities
If you are looking for a breed that lays a lot of eggs, then the Black Australorp, Jersey Giant, and Black Orpington are excellent choices.
These breeds can lay between 250-300 eggs per year, making them ideal for egg production.
Meat Production
If you are interested in meat production, then the Jersey Giant, Black Australorp, and Orpington breeds are also good options.
Ornamental or Show Birds
If you are not overly interested in meat or egg birds but are looking for a black chicken breed that can be an ornamental or show bird, there are a few options for you as well.
For instance, the Ayam Cemani is a rare and exotic breed that has beautiful black plumage and and striking appearance.
The Silkie is another great ornamental option. They have fluffy feathers and make excellent pets as well.
Temperament
If you are looking for a friendly and docile breed, then the Orpington and Australorp are excellent choices.
These breeds are known for their calm and gentle personalities, making them ideal for families with children.
Appearance
If you are looking for a breed that stands out, then the Ayam Cemani and La Fleche are good options.
The Ayam Cemani is entirely black, including its feathers, skin, and internal organs, making it a unique and exotic breed.
The La Fleche, on the other hand, has a distinctive V-shaped comb and striking black and white plumage.
Hardiness
If you are looking for a breed that can withstand harsh weather conditions, then the Sumatra and Langshan are excellent choices.
These breeds are known for their hardiness and ability to thrive in extreme temperatures.
Final Thoughts
While there are only a handful of black chicken breeds, each one has its own unique characteristics and advantages.
Each of the above breeds is unique and beautiful and most of them would make a great addition to any backyard flock.
With their striking plumage and docile personalities, they are sure to be a crowd-pleaser.
If you’re interested in adding a black chicken breed to your flock, there are some reputable breeders and hatcheries that specialize in these unique birds.
Additionally, many local farm supply stores may carry black chicken breeds during the spring and summer months.
So, whether you’re looking for a striking addition to your backyard flock or simply want a friendly, easy-to-handle chicken breed, black chicken breeds are one to consider.
Frequently Asked Questions
What breed is a black chick?
Black chicks can come from a variety of breeds, including the Ayam Cemani, Black Australorp, Black Jersey Giant, and Black Orpington.
These breeds are known to mature and have striking black plumage and unique characteristics.
What is the most common black chicken?
The most common black chicken breed is the Black Australorp.
This breed is known for its hardiness, egg-laying ability, and docile temperament.
They have a beautiful black plumage that can have a green or purple sheen in the right light.
What are the rare black chickens?
Some of the rare black chicken breeds include the Ayam Cemani, La Fleche, Crevecour, Swedish Black Hen, and Svart Hona.
These breeds are extremely rare, although most are highly sought after for their unique black plumage and other desirable traits.
What chicken is all black?
The Ayam Cemani is a breed of chicken that is all black.
This breed is known for its striking appearance and unique characteristics, including black feathers, black skin, black meat, and even black bones.
Which black chicken breeds have feathered feet?
The Silkie and the Cochin are two black chicken breeds that have feathered feet.
These breeds are known for their beautiful physique and are often kept as pets.
Which black chicken breeds lay brown eggs?
Black Copper Marans, Jersey Giants, Black Orpingtons, and Black Australorps are all black chicken breeds that lay brown eggs.
These breeds are known for their excellent egg-laying ability and are popular among backyard chicken keepers.