Asian Black Chickens | A Comprehensive Guide

Are you searching for Asian Black Chickens, and Google shows you confusing results?

I know this because there is limited information available about Asian Black Chickens, and also, these chickens are often confused with Ayam Cemani, which is not an Asian Black Chicken.

What is Asian Black Chicken?

I still remember the day I first saw a picture of an Asian Black Chicken on the Hoovers Hatchery website. Its solid black plumage with hues of green and blue caught my eye immediately, it was like a bird straight out of a painting!

As someone new to raising chickens, I was researching unique breeds to add to my backyard flock, and this one seemed like a perfect fit. Let me share what I’ve learned about this beautiful poultry variety, from its feathering to its dual-purpose nature, along with my own experience raising them.

The Asian Black, sometimes called the Asia Black Chicken, is a newly developed breed by Hoover’s Hatchery, a well-known hatchery in the U.S. From what I’ve gathered, it’s likely a hybrid or multigenerational cross of various breeds, possibly including a black chicken from Asia, which explains the name.

Unlike certified breeds recognized by the APA (American Poultry Association), the Asian Black is considered an unrecognized backyard breed.

Some folks on forums like BackYard Chickens debate whether it’s a true breed that breeds true or just a clever way for hatcheries to sell mixes. In my opinion, its consistency in appearance and traits makes it special, even if it’s not a specific standard breed.

Ok, let’s cover a short overview of Ayam Cemani that will clear your confusion:

What is Ayam Cemani Chicken?

Ayam means “Chicken,” while Cemani means “Full Black.”

These chickens are from Indonesia. They have a dominant gene that causes hyperpigmentation. The Ayam Cemani is very popular among Gamecocks because it is more muscular than other chicken breeds.

There is a misconception that Ayam Cemani lays black eggs, but that is untrue. Their eggs are cream-colored with a pinkish tinge, and they are nearly as large as those of other chickens.

Ayam Cemani lays 60-100 eggs per year. They start laying eggs at the age of between 5 and 6 months and then stop laying eggs for several months as this cycle continues. The meat of Ayam Cemani, Silkie, and Kadaknath is black. 

Asian Black Hen vs Rooster

Characteristic	Asian Black Hen	Asian Black Rooster
Size	Medium	Large
Weight	5-6 pounds	6-7 pounds
Comb	Single comb	Larger comb
Wattles	Small	Larger
Feather Patterns	Less flashy	More elaborate and showy feathers
Feather Colors	Black and greenish shine on it	Vibrant and iridescent feathers
Temperament	Docile, gentle, and friendly	sometime aggressive
Broodiness	Occasional	Rarely
Noise	Not too noisy, generally quiet	Noisy

Its Origin and History

The Black Asian Chicken breed is very popular in Asia. They originated in the United States by mixing different breeds in the laboratory.

The Asian Black Chicken was first introduced in Chinese Literature in the 11th century AD and was later introduced to Japan and Korea. Today, they are widely distributed throughout Asia and have gained popularity rapidly. In China, these are considered Good Luck.

Its Stunning Appearance

What makes the Asian Black so stunning is its iridescence. The solid black feathers shimmer with green iridescence and hues of green and blue under sunlight, especially on the rooster’s neck and breast, where you might spot red/gold markings.

The hen is equally striking, though less flashy. I’ve noticed the roo has a beautiful sheen that makes him the star of the coop.

Unlike the Ayam Cemani, which is black inside and out (even its organs!), or the Silkie with its fluffy plumage and black skin, the Asian Black’s feathering is sleek and practical. It’s not as tall as a Langshan or as prolific as Black Australorps, but its similar appearance to these breeds makes it a unique variety.

Dual-Purpose and Hardy

The Asian Black is a dual-purpose bird, meaning it is suitable for both egg laying and meat production. The females, or pullets, lay medium-sized brown eggs, approximately 250 per year, which I find ideally suited for my family’s needs.

The males, or cockerels, reach a mature weight of 5-6 lbs., making them a decent meat bird. They’re slower growing, with males hitting market size in 10-12 weeks and females in 15 weeks, according to Hoover’s Hatchery.

I love that they’re hardy, handling both cold and hot weather with no losses in the six months I’ve had them. Their hardiness and calm temperament make them a multipurpose choice for any backyard breed.

Is It a True Breed?

Here’s where things get tricky. Some folks infer that the Asian Black is just a mix of breeds, such as Langshan, Silkie, or even Australorps (a typo for Australorp?).

Hoover’s markets it with specific traits: medium size, brown eggs, and iridescent plumage. I like to think it’s a breed in the making, developed through deliberate selection to have a similar appearance and behavior.

Whether it will become a popular group of animals or remain a niche species remains to be seen. For now, it’s not sacred or homogenized like older breeds, but it’s bred with enough consistency to stand out.

Its Lifespan

The lifespan of Asian Black Chickens depends on their environmental needs and their nutrition; the better their environment and diet, the longer they live.

The average lifespan of an Asian black chicken is 8 to 10 years.

It’s Egg Production

Asian black chicken egg production rate is nearly greater than that of other chickens. If you are looking for chickens for eggs, the Asian Black Chicken will be the best choice. Their eggs are also premium, so you can sell them and earn a profit.

Asian Black Chicken eggs are valued because of their nutrient and unique taste. On average, Asian Black Chicken lays 230 eggs per year. A light brown or cream-colored shell and a medium size characterize the Asian black chicken egg.

Generally, young Asian Black Chickens begin laying eggs at around 6 months of age, on average.

Some Asian Black chickens start laying eggs at 16-18 weeks of age (3.6 to 4.1 months), and some begin laying eggs at 28-32 weeks (6.4 to 7.3 months).

Its Meat

Most male Asian Black Chickens are raised for meat production, while female Asian Black Chickens are raised for dual-purpose eggs and meat.

However, they are slow-growing chickens that take longer to grow and mature for meat, making them less well-suited for meat production.

Asian black chicken meat is famous for its sweet and delicious taste. The meat is higher in nutrients than that of some other chickens.

Asian Black Chicken has white or normal meat, just like any other chicken, while Ayam Cemani and some other chickens have black meat.

Its Pros and Cons

PROS:

• Beautiful and Unique
• High Egg Production Rate
• Wonderful Hardiness
• Adaptable to Any Environment
• Friendly and Social
• Not too Noisy

CONS:

• Rare Broodiness
• Slow Growth Rate
• Susceptible to disease

Compared to Other Black Chicken Breeds

To compare, let’s look at other black chicken breeds:

Breed	Key Traits	Egg Production	Purpose
Asian Black	Black with green/blue hues, red/gold accents, hardy	250 brown eggs	Dual-purpose
Ayam Cemani	Entirely black (feathers, organs), rare, expensive	80 eggs/year	Ornamental
Silkie	Fluffy plumage, black skin, calm	100-120 eggs	Ornamental/Pet
Langshan	Tall, black feathering, good layers	150-200 eggs	Dual-purpose
Black Australorps	Shiny black, excellent layers, friendly	250+ eggs	Dual-purpose
Black Sex Link	Hybrid, black with some markings, prolific	250-300 eggs	Egg production

The Asian Black holds its own as a multipurpose bird, especially for those who want both eggs and meat without the high cost of an Ayam Cemani or the fluff of a Silkie.

Where to Get Asian Black 

Besides Hoover’s Hatchery, you can find Asian Black chicks at Purely Poultry or Efowl. I’ve seen them at Tractor Supply, too, but double-check the breed when your box is sent to avoid a refund situation.

If you’re researching online, search engines like Google can pull up pictures and information from sites like BackYard Chickens. Be aware of the possibility of mixed results due to its hybrid nature.

How to Care for Asian Black Chicken

Caring for these chickens requires special attention and consideration to ensure their health and well-being.

Housing and Environment:

Provide a suitable and secure coop: Asian Black Chickens need a well-ventilated, predator-proof coop to protect them from harm.

Choose appropriate bedding and flooring: Use soft bedding materials, such as straw or wood shavings, to provide a comfortable and clean environment for the chickens.

Ensure sufficient space: Allow each chicken ample room to move around comfortably.

Feeding and Watering:

Provide a balanced diet: Asian Black Chickens require a complete and balanced diet that includes a mix of high-quality chicken feed, grains, fruits, vegetables, and access to a variety of insects and worms.

Freshwater: Ensure the chickens have access to fresh and clean water daily to keep them hydrated.

Health and Veterinary Care:

Regular health checks: Monitor your chickens for any signs of illness or injury, and consult a veterinarian if needed.

Parasite prevention: Implement a regular parasite prevention routine to protect your chickens from external parasites, such as mites and lice.

Vaccinations: Follow a recommended vaccination schedule to protect your chickens from common diseases.

Handling and Socialization:

Gentle handling: Handle your chickens carefully and avoid causing them stress or discomfort.

Socialization: Provide opportunities for your chickens to interact with each other and with you, promoting their social well-being and overall health.

Final Thoughts

Asian Black Chickens are a rare and unique breed, characterized by their full black feathers and a distinctive greenish sheen. They are friendly, docile, and socially active birds that give an incredible shine to any flock.

Although they are new to the market, they are still gaining popularity due to their excellent temperament and reasonable egg production rate.

Their hardiness makes them the ideal chicken for thriving in any environment, and they are a suitable choice for both experienced poultry keepers and beginners.

Ensure that they are in a good environment and coop, regularly check their health status, and keep an eye on their diet so they can give us years of enjoyment.

If you have any queries about this topic or related to it, we would be happy to help you.

FAQs

What is an Asian black chicken?

Are Asian Blacks suitable for meat production?

They are unsuitable for meat production because they take a long time to grow, and other reasons make these chickens unsuitable for meat.

How many eggs does an Asian Black Chicken lay per year?

On average, the Asian Black Chicken lays 230 eggs, which are medium-sized and cream-colored.

Do Asian Black Chickens thrive in different environments?

The hardiness of these chickens makes them perfect for any environment.

What is the origin of Asian Black Chickens?

These chickens originated in the United States through selective breeding experiments. The Asian Black Chicken was first introduced in Chinese Literature in the 11th century AD and was later introduced to Japan and Korea. Today, they are widely distributed throughout Asia and have gained popularity rapidly.

Do Asian black chickens have black meat?

No, they have regular or white meat like any other chicken.

At what age do Asian black chickens begin laying eggs?

On average, Asian Black Chickens start laying eggs at the age of 6 months. Some Asian Black chickens begin laying eggs at 16-18 weeks of age (3.6 to 4.1 months), while others start laying eggs at 28-32 weeks (6.4 to 7.3 months).

What Is the Average Lifespan Of Asian Black Chicken?

It depends on the environmental needs and their diet. The average lifespan of these Chickens is 8-10 years.