Exotic black color from Indonesia - chickens of the Ayam Tsemani breed

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Kira Stoletova

Many people know the phenomenon of lack of pigmentation, which results in the appearance of albinos. Ayam Tsemani chickens exhibit the opposite effect called hyperpigmentation, where the bird is completely black not only on the outside, but also on the inside. The unusual appearance has attracted increased attention from exotic lovers to this decorative breed.

Breed of chickens Ayam Tsemani

Indonesia is considered their homeland; the line dates back several thousand years; according to one version, it was obtained by crossing wild and domestic chickens. They say that there are no purebred representatives left in the world, the rest of the population is already half-breeds. But the dominant gene is so strong that it constantly appears in the next generation.

Content

If you breed black chickens in cold climates, then you need to prepare a warm chicken coop for them.
Moreover, it is better to perform thermal insulation from the outside of the building. Then it will retain the cold and will not allow it to enter the room. For insulation, you can use mineral wool or polystyrene foam. If you use polystyrene foam, the voids formed between the base and the sheets of heat insulation will have to be eliminated using polyurethane foam. So in this regard, mineral wool is considered convenient. It is characterized by high elasticity, due to which it allows you to tightly cover all the gaps that form. If you carry out internal thermal insulation, the area of ​​​​the room will decrease. The ceiling also needs to be insulated. Bedding will need to be laid on the floor. Its thickness will be 5-10 cm. To do this, you can use peat, straw, sawdust or dry leaves. You can learn from this description how Pervomaiskaya breed chickens are bred.

Feeding

One of the advantages of black chickens is their unpretentiousness in nutrition. They eat almost anything, so they can get by without Indonesian delicacies. Small chicks should be given corn grits or balanced industrial feed. At the same time, it is bought according to the age of the young animals. Gradually, you need to introduce mineral supplements, grass flour, and finely chopped root vegetables into the diet. But the automatic drinking bowls must first be filled with boiled water or weakly brewed tea. After a few days, the chicks will be able to drink regular water.

The diet of an adult must necessarily contain high-quality industrial feed. For foreign hens it is worth using wheat, corn, and other grains. To obtain tasty and juicy meat, it is necessary to feed chickens with live food - worms and fly larvae.

Wet nutritional formulations should be supplemented with mineral components and vitamins. If you prepare the mash in fish broth, the birds will be able to get a portion of fish oil, which is added to the diet separately. This additive has a beneficial effect on the bird’s body and the beauty of its plumage. It will also be interesting to learn about how to feed the Andalusian Blue chicken.

On the video - how to feed chickens correctly:

When winter sets in, chickens don't have access to greens, so you'll have to add grass meal to warm, moist mash. Laying hens should also have hay and vegetables in their diet. You can also sprout grain in winter and delight the birds with a green treat.

Mystical chickens Ayam Tsemani - who are they?

We are already accustomed to the fact that chickens can come in a variety of colors, but there is a breed that still never ceases to amaze even experienced poultry farmers. Ayam Tsemani are completely black chickens that do not have a single light spot.

Breed overview

It’s hard to believe, but the Ayam Tsemani ornamental chickens are truly completely coal-black birds. Not only their plumage, but even their skin is dark in shades. Needless to say about tongue, organs, bones and meat! The bone marrow of this unusual breed is also black; even their blood is so dark that it could easily pass for black.

Origin

These amazing birds, which amaze the imagination even in the photo, came from Indonesia. Translated into Russian, the name sounds like “Tsemani chicken”. Cemani is a village located near the city of Solo in Middle Java.

In 1920, colonialists from Holland became acquainted with the unique bird, and in Europe they first learned about these exotic chickens in 1998. Jan Stevernik began studying this breed and the characteristics of its origin. Research led to the fact that in the same year it was possible to breed the first hen of this breed, and the next year - a rooster.

The breed immediately provoked an unprecedented stir, since the appearance of the bird was fascinating and evoked mystical associations. Today, Ayam Tsemani chickens are considered one of the most expensive breeds in the world. The cost of one chicken reaches 2.5 thousand dollars.

Many breeders believe that now there are no purebred Ayam Tsemani left, since the original individuals have long since died out. There is an opinion that poultry farmers are currently breeding a hybrid of a unique breed, which is valued in the same way as Ayam Kedu.

Appearance

The first thing worth mentioning in the description of the unusual Ayam Tsemani is the incomparable coloring. You're probably wondering how it happened that even chickens have combs darker than night. The fact is that birds owe this coloration to a genetic feature - fibromelanosis.

This gene provokes the rapid development of a large number of black pigment cells. Scientists have proven that this mutation originated more than eighth centuries ago in Asia. As mentioned above, modern representatives of the described breed are black in color. Moreover, if a light color appears anywhere on an individual, then this is considered a defect, and such a hen or rooster is not used for breeding.

As for the body, it is not too large and has the shape of a trapezoid. The neck of Ayam Tsemani chickens is of medium length, and the head is small in size. The chest of individuals can hardly be called very full, however, it is quite rounded. The wings fit quite tightly to the body.

Cockerels can be recognized by their large, regularly shaped comb and fluffy, high tail. Both laying hens and males have earrings that are round and completely black. The breed is characterized by the presence of a short black beak with a thickening at the end. Ayam Tsemani's eyes are also completely black. This can be seen in the photo.

Productivity

On average, a chicken of the Ayam Tsemani breed reaches 1.2 kilograms, and roosters rarely gain more than 1.8 kilograms. The egg production of laying hens is quite satisfactory - in the first productive period, the hen produces about a hundred dark-colored eggs. The weight of one testicle is about 50 grams. Individuals of this breed have a good survival rate - 95%.

Interesting Facts

In Asia, Ayam Tsemani are valued very highly - this is due to the tendency of the local population to endow surrounding objects and animals with mystical characteristics. Sometimes these black chickens are sacrificed to increase the birth rate of the people. In addition, Ayam Tsemani is considered a symbol of good luck. There is a widespread belief among Asians that eating black chicken can ease pangs of conscience. If a rooster of this breed crows, then prosperity awaits the owners of the bird.

Finding poultry breeders in Russia who would keep Ayam Tsemani is very difficult, since even private breeders cannot guarantee that the breed is pure. Judging by the reviews of the lucky ones, black chickens fly well. So good that some even have to put a roof on their yard to avoid losing the birds.

Many note that individuals of this breed are distrustful and reluctant to come into contact with people. They prefer to stay apart, however, chickens cannot do without the care of their owners. The fact is that they have never seen snow, and therefore in winter it is necessary to provide the birds with good heating. The surface of the barn should be covered with a mixture of hay and peat about 5 centimeters thick. This is the only way to prevent birds from freezing.

Video “Rare breed rooster Ayam Tsemani”

In this video you can see how the male Ayam Tsemani behaves at home and hear about the peculiarities of his keeping.

Peculiarities

Ayam Cemani are unique Indonesian chickens. The first thing that catches your eye is the completely black color. Even the comb of these chickens is not the usual red color, but is painted black. The same applies to legs, claws, skin and even the oral cavity. Ayam Tsemani are completely black chickens. That is why they are of interest to many breeders.

In addition to its unusual appearance, this breed can boast of good quality meat and high egg production. Unfortunately, Ayam Tsemani is difficult to find on the open market, since practically no one is breeding this breed in Russia . Some individuals can be purchased from private breeders, but they cannot guarantee their purity.

Don't forget that they came from bank chickens, so they fly quite well. Because of this, a roof needs to be installed in the walking yard to prevent the livestock from flying away. Also, keeping a bird can become more difficult due to its distrust. They try not to contact the person, avoid him.

Because this breed is so rare, the cost of hatching eggs and day-old chicks can be truly exorbitant. For this reason, only the richest breeders or enthusiastic collectors can own this bird.

Breeding Features

To obtain high-quality offspring, families should be created at the rate of 1 rooster per 5 laying hens. The manufacturer must be changed annually. If you constantly use the same one, the chickens will be weak, and the chicken population will begin to degenerate.

You should not rely on the conscientiousness of the hens; it is better to place the eggs in an incubator. Caring for chicks is as follows:

1. Isolation of young animals from adult chickens until the age of 60 days.
2. Maintaining optimal air temperature in the room with chickens (2 weeks - +28 - +30, subsequently - room temperature).
3. Providing a nutritious diet.
4. Vaccination, health promotion with vitamins.

Chickens younger than 1 week are given food up to 6 times a day. Low-fat cottage cheese is suitable for them. Next, the number of feedings is gradually reduced to 3; a boiled and grated egg, greens, and cereals are introduced into the diet. From 30 days you need to introduce feed with a high protein content. Chicks can be moved to adult hens from 2 months.

Diseases

The breed is not known to be sickly. The main enemies of black chickens are parasites. Birds can also suffer from non-contagious diseases that cause inflammation of the ovaries and oviducts. The causes of such diseases can be a deficiency of vitamins, unsanitary conditions in the chicken coop, or low-quality, moldy feed.

Symptoms and treatment of diseases in Tsemani chickens:

Disease prevention:

• Using special drinking bowls to prevent dirt from getting into the food and water.
• Regular cleaning and disinfection of the chicken coop and equipment.
• Avoiding overcrowding, dampness, and poor nutrition.

About the benefits of green eggs and black meat of Ukheyiliyu laying hens

A few words about green eggs. Their weight does not exceed 48 g. It is a rich source of iodine, zinc, vitamins A and E. The amino acid part of the eggs of Chinese chickens is more diverse and richer than that of eggs obtained from chickens of other breeds.

Eggs of chickens of the Ukheyiliyu breed are recommended for people with pathologies of the CVS, NS and IS. Many doctors claim that such eggs help in the treatment of cancer! Helps with anorexia and coronary artery disease.

Mothers should pay attention to green eggs. Since they are recognized as an excellent product for small children, also for those who are overweight

In China, doctors recommend green eggs to patients with mental retardation.

Features of meat from Ukheiliyu chicken: delicate structure, small diameter of muscle fibers, taste of game. This dietary dish has a rich amino acid composition. It contains a lot of globulin, B vitamins, and peptides.

Black meat is primarily useful for diabetes, gastrointestinal diseases, and cardiovascular problems. It helps in recovery after a stroke.

Description of the breed

Experienced poultry farmers claim that there are no purebred examples of the Ayam Tsemani breed; every bird is, to one degree or another, a half-breed. This is explained by the origin of the species: its ancestors were bred thousands of years ago by mixing the green chicken of the forest with laying hens domesticated in Central Java. However, it is possible to distinguish one suitable for selection and productive maintenance by obvious external signs:

• uniform color of the plumage, black with a bluish-greenish tint;
• completely black small eyes;
• an erect comb with a clearly defined line of teeth, also black;
• oval-shaped large earrings;
• small compact head;
• medium length neck;
• slender trapezoidal body with well-developed muscles;
• long developed legs with four toes;
• wings tightly fitting to the body;
• cockerels are much larger than hens;
• hard plumage.

On the scale of shades, skin color should be 10 out of 10, while for other black chickens this indicator varies from 5 to 7.

Character

Among their relatives, the Ayam Tsemani are belligerent, so bloody skirmishes and cockfights are not uncommon in the enclosures. There should not be more than one rooster in one enclosure; these black birds are extremely aggressive in fighting for food or a female, even with sufficient resources. At the same time, in contact with people, representatives of the breed are timid and anxious; touching and being picked up is a real stress for them. Because of this peculiarity in the behavior of milking ayam tsemani, it is necessary to equip a chicken coop away from sources of noise, passage places and stalls with other types of animals. In stressful situations, the productivity of laying hens decreases and body weight disappears, which significantly reduces the profitability of the entire farm. Read about the description and characteristics of the Australorp chicken breed here.

Birds that are the most unusual in appearance often have a unique character.

Description of the Ayam Tsemani breed

At the moment there is no single description of the Indonesian breed standard. All information about the historical origin is passed on by the inhabitants of Indonesia from generation to generation, but some facts remain lost forever. The most detailed information about this breed can be found in the book by France Sudir.

Modern birds have completely black feathers. Moreover, not only the plumage should be black, but also the comb, earrings, eyes, beak, legs and even the skin of the bird. Any manifestation of light color is considered unacceptable, therefore such individuals do not participate in further reproduction in order to maintain the breed standard.

Chickens are characterized by a medium-length neck on which is a small head. Roosters have a large comb with regular teeth and notches. The earrings of chickens and roosters are round and completely black. The face and earlobes are smooth and black. The beak is short, but has a slight thickening at the end, and is also colored black. The eyes are completely black and small.

The neck of the chickens smoothly turns into a trapezoidal body. The breasts of hens and roosters are round, but not very full. The wings are pressed tightly to the body, slightly raised. The tail of roosters is lush and high. It has well-developed long braids that completely cover the small feathers.

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Chickens have a more modest tail, but quite large. The legs and paws are long and black. Fingers spread wide. Roosters have small spurs.

Breeding Ayam Tsemani

For the purity of the breed, the black family must be kept separately from other chickens.

Incubation period

As already mentioned, hens do not strive to hatch and care for their offspring. Therefore, the incubation process is carried out artificially. The incubation period lasts 20-21 days, and healthy chicks are born.

Caring for young offspring

Newborn chicks are kept at a temperature of 28-30 degrees, which is maintained constant for 2 weeks. Then the temperature can be gradually reduced.

Important! To prevent the chickens from getting too cold, it is better for them to pour drinking water into special drinking bowls - thanks to this, the young animals will be dry and clean.

Planned herd replacement

When purchasing black chickens, it is important to remember that there is no need to rush into raising a replacement flock, because exotic pets can serve as a decoration for your interior for a long time. Only in the second year of keeping it is possible to plant hens, after which, from 2 months of age, young individuals will be able to calmly coexist with adult birds

If you want to breed this breed not only for your home zoo, but also for consumption, it is important to remember that after 3 years of age the taste of the meat deteriorates.

Chickens Ayam Tsemani reviews

Reviews from those who raised this breed.

Unfortunately, in Russia it is almost impossible to meet chickens of this breed. Therefore, there are practically no reviews from Russian farmers on the forum for this breed. And in general, there are practically no reviews about chickens of the Ayam Tsemani breed.

Therefore, we can only cite the opinion of those foreign farmers who had birds of this breed:

Black chickens of the Ayam Tsemani breed are extremely careful! They do not make contact with their owners, they are shy, but they are very curious and active. Keeping them for meat or eggs is unprofitable because their productivity is low. Basically, they keep chickens of the Ayam Tsemani breed as an ornamental breed with an unusual exotic appearance.

Also, the spread of this breed is not facilitated by the high cost of young animals and hatching eggs. Therefore, although these black Ayam Tsemani chickens are beautiful, they are not yet very popular among farmers. Especially those who breed chickens for their meat-egg productivity.

What you need to know about diet

There is nothing exotic in the diet of this breed; the same food as other breeds of chickens suits it. By following the following recommendations, excellent meat products are obtained.

Meat products will be of higher quality if black chickens are given additional waste from the meat industry, worms or fly larvae. In order not to purchase live food in specialized stores, it is recommended that Indonesians organize a walking space in the fresh air. If this is not possible, it is still recommended to buy live food.

Wet mash serves as an excellent variety in a chicken's diet. Vitamins and minerals are mixed into them, if necessary. To make the food even more healthy, it is recommended to use fish broth for the mash; it contains the necessary substances that have a positive effect on the appearance of black chickens.

In winter, it is impossible to provide green mass due to its absence; grass flour, which is part of the mash, is considered a complete replacement; additionally, hay and vegetables are also given. Chickens will NOT refuse sprouted wheat grain; it can be used as a treat or as an additional component to other food.

Breeding Features

The high cost of eggs and young animals does not allow for the immediate purchase of large quantities of poultry. This is not required, since chickens are able to independently breed a new generation, which from the first days gets used to the living conditions in a certain region.

Incubation

Chickens sit on the nest on their own, choose dry, raised places above the ground, and favor specially prepared cells.

Since they are very shy, a chicken that has begun brooding in an inconvenient place can be moved, but only at night and carefully.

The body weight is small, so a standard clutch of 21 eggs may not be warmed up; it is better to leave it with 17 - 19 eggs.

The hatching period is 3 weeks, after which 2 control days are given and unhatched eggs are removed. The process through the incubator is going well, the conditions are normal, there are no special subtleties for this breed.

Feeding the chicks

On the first day, chickens need access to water and careful observation; wet litter is immediately removed.

The babies are fed every 3 hours with small portions of finely ground feed. In the first 10 days, the intestines are practically sterile, so no green supplements are allowed.

Corn should be excluded or a minimal amount should be left in the feed. You can feed with low-fat cottage cheese, chopped boiled egg.

Finely chopped greens are gradually introduced. For normal growth and weight gain, mixtures with a high protein content are recommended.

Care

Chicks are afraid of drafts.
During the first day, continuous lighting and a temperature within 30° are provided.

The Indonesian breed is heat-loving, babies suffer from drafts. On days 2-3, daylight alternates with a period of darkness, and the temperature gradually decreases.

The following are generally accepted care conditions. The schedule of vaccinations and vitamin supplements must be followed. In liquid form, vitamins are dripped in the required dosage into the beak of each baby.

Automatic drinkers are preferable for water supply; food and fertilizers do not mix.

How to care?

In Germany, ayam cemani is bred not only for decorative purposes. Males are fattened for meat. The main consumers are restaurants with exotic cuisine. Meat is in demand, despite its high cost. It is necessary to create certain conditions for chickens.

In the summer, the livestock is kept on range. In winter, the flock is brought into the poultry house. Individuals love space, so the planting density should not be high. There are 2 chickens per 1 m2. For ordinary laying hens the norms are different: 5 birds/m2. In the enclosure, 2 m2 is allocated for 1 head.

For ayam tsemani, an open enclosure with a canopy is provided. If the air temperature does not drop below 16 C, then the chickens are left in the enclosure overnight. It is recommended to provide perches for them, but individuals can sleep sitting on the litter.

Laying hens require nests. The location for laying is chosen at the discretion of the chicken. They mark the corner where she brought the first egg. At this place a box is installed, which is covered with hay.

During strong winds and precipitation, birds hide under a canopy. Feeders and drinking bowls are installed for the herd. Ayam tsemani are not brought into the poultry house in the summer. Humid air has a beneficial effect on them. Individuals can tolerate high temperatures, but in extreme heat they hide in the grass.

When the air temperature drops to 15 C, the flock is brought into the poultry house. Exercise is stopped when the temperature drops to 10 C. The chicken coop is built spacious and bright. Ventilation must be provided in the room and air humidity and cleanliness must be monitored. The flooring is made of concrete.

Straw or peat is used as bedding. They change it once a week. The necessary equipment for supplying feed and drinking water is installed in the premises. Drinking water temperature 16 C. If necessary, use heating:

• in the poultry house it is maintained at 15-18 C;
• humidity 70%;
• lighting 20 hatch;
• Daylight hours are 14 hours.

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Ayam Tsemani roosters are distinguished by their fighting character. There can only be one male per pen. No other birds are added to black chickens. To reduce aggression, males have special devices and glasses placed on their heads. They will limit your field of view. A ring is inserted into the beak. It won't soften the blow. In Indonesia, roosters are used in bird fighting.

Ayam Tsemani chickens are very shy

They approach them with caution. Roosters can attack, but laying hens hide when they hear an extraneous sound

They try to escape quickly. Poultry farmers note that chickens often get injured when hiding from danger. Stress affects the weariness of females.

Maintenance and cultivation

Breeders who were able to find this rare breed should be responsible for its maintenance. Ayam Tsemani was bred in Indonesia, where it never snows, so these chickens need a very warm house. A wooden shed with a wooden floor is ideal for these purposes. A mixture of hay and peat should be used as bedding, and its thickness should not be less than 5 cm, otherwise the birds will freeze.

During the cold season, good heating should be provided in the poultry house . All windows are additionally sealed or frames are attached to them for insulation. You can also use a regular stove for insulation, which is placed in the middle of the room where the birds will live.

After completing the construction of the poultry house, you must check for drafts. Ayam Tsemani are very sensitive to the effects of cold temperatures, so even a small draft can cause a cold in chickens. If all maintenance conditions are met, the birds will take root well even in Russia.

Do not forget that all Indonesian breeds require regular walking. A green garden or a small green lawn is good for this. On it, birds will collect fallen seeds and insects, which perfectly complement the diet.

However, while walking, the bird will not be able to receive all the necessary amounts of useful microelements and vitamins, so Ayam Tsemani needs to be fed well. For chickens, fortified combined feeds are suitable. They will significantly strengthen the birds’ immunity, making it easier to endure winter.

Additionally, eggshells, sand and small stones can be added to the food . These mineral supplements improve the poultry's digestion and also prevent blockage of the crop. You can also add vitamins to the food. This especially applies to feeding in winter.

Feeding

The diet of adult birds and chicks should be enriched with vitamins and microelements. The creation of wet mash and the selection of feed for birds of different ages varies.

Older generation

When keeping Moscow black chicken, you should pay special attention to the diet. Experienced breeders claim that chickens are practically omnivorous, so there are no problems with preparing a diet

But if the birds do not have enough nutrients, then problems with egg production will begin.

To prevent this from happening, you need to feed laying hens according to the diet for egg-oriented birds:

• Basis of the diet: dry grain feed, industrial feed for laying hens, hay;
• Mix vegetables once a day;
• Additionally: greens, vitamin complex, calcium supplements;
• Place a feeder with shell rock and fine gravel separately so that the chickens can grind food into their crops.

Therefore, they are not added to the daily diet.

Young animals

In the first days of life, chicks are given:

• Millet;
• Finely chopped boiled egg.

Then you can diversify the diet with green onions and alfalfa.

In this case, the best solution is to prepare the starter feed yourself from high-quality products.

At the age of two weeks, the following is added to the baby’s diet:

• Finely chopped boiled vegetables;
• Various vitamin supplements.

When the chicks have reached 1.5 months, they are separated. Cockerels intended for slaughter are put on a diet enriched with protein and minerals with the addition of yeast.

The diet of laying hens consists of grain crops, calcium and vitamin supplements, as well as fresh herbs.

Maturation speed and egg production

The Black Ayam Tsemani breed of chickens is in no hurry to mature - laying hens grow and mature very slowly. Moreover, some poultry farmers stimulate developmental delays because this improves the taste of the meat. It takes 10 months for males to grow until they reach their maximum body weight.

The quons begin laying eggs at the age of 7-8 months. Here are some facts about the egg production of laying hens.

1. During a year of stable oviposition, a quonka can produce about 120 eggs.
2. The color of the eggs is soft pink, and their taste is the most common - like all black whales.
3. 1 egg weighs about 50 grams, but at the beginning of egg laying they may be smaller.

Productivity and egg production

These birds are not particularly productive. Their offspring grows and develops more slowly than representatives of other breeds of chickens. But the meat of young Ayam Tsemani chickens is much tastier and more tender than that of chickens of other chicken breeds.

Sexual maturity in Ayam Tsemani cockerels occurs at 10 months. Laying hens begin laying eggs at 7-8 months.

Hens from Indonesia have a well-developed maternal instinct, so the survival rate of young animals is high - up to 100%. Young animals slowly gain body weight, and only by the age of one year do they gain the weight characteristic of adults. Representatives of this breed have strong immunity and practically do not get sick.

Hens do not have high egg production. They can lay no more than 120 eggs per year. The average weight of an egg is about 50 g. The shape of the eggs is regular, round, the shell is unusually strong, its color is soft pink. The internal contents of eggs are no different from those of other chicken breeds. The taste of the eggs is standard.

During the molting period, in extreme cold, as well as in autumn and winter, hens lay eggs poorly. No more than an egg in 7 days.

Temperament

Potential owners of Ayam Tsemani should take into account that chickens have a specific character. They do not get along well with other birds. Roosters can cause serious injury to domestic animals and humans. Laying hens are a little calmer. However, they are easily frightened. The sharp sound causes the chickens to jump or scatter in different directions. Due to panic, they are capable of bumping into a hard object and injuring themselves.

Birds cannot sit in one place for a long time. They love to explore the territory. In the absence of a good fence, chickens can easily fly to another area. Representatives of the breed are not very good hens. Laying hens are able to leave the nest before the chicks hatch.

Advantages and disadvantages

Ayam Tsemani chickens take a long time to mature, they begin to lay eggs only at 10 months, roosters reach sexual maturity after a year. Nevertheless, the breed has many interesting qualities that attract the attention of farm owners.

Positive traits:

• tender black meat;
• exotic appearance;
• excellent care for offspring;
• high immunity;
• excellent hatching and survival rates;
• good adaptation to conditions.

The breed is quite demanding regarding the frequency of feeding and the composition of the feed; in addition, the owners note that:

• the bird does not tolerate cold well;
• suffers from lack of light;
• does not get along with representatives of other breeds;
• egg production is low, egg weight is average;
• expensive.

Flaws

1. Expensive.
2. They do not tolerate cold well.

There are not very many black chickens left in the world, and few farmers take up breeding this variety. Having weighed all the advantages and disadvantages, we can say that the chicken is quite good, especially for lovers of feathered “beauty”. That's all that can be said about her!

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Black chickens Ayam Tsemani pros and cons

Advantages and disadvantages of the breed.

The main advantages of the breed include:

• the meat of these birds is classified as a delicacy with a very delicate taste;
• unusual exotic appearance;
• highly developed maternal instinct in Ayam Tsemani hens;
• resistance to most diseases affecting other breeds of chickens.

The main disadvantages of individuals of this breed are low resistance to frost and high price. For example, in the homeland of these chickens - Indonesia - the cheapest representatives of the Ayam Tsemani breed cost at least 200 dollars. And outside these islands, the price of young animals reaches 2400-2900 dollars.

Historical reference

Where are you from?

Tsemani chickens (aka Cemani, Kemani) are ancient birds, the name of which is literally translated from the Javanese dialect as “chickens completely black.”

The closest ancestors of the ayam tsemani appeared as a result of crossing green jungle roosters and bank jungle hens. They were domesticated several thousand years ago.

The homeland of ayam cemani is the Indonesian islands near Central Java, whose inhabitants revered these birds for their “mystical” abilities and sought to acquire them at any cost.

The Indonesians believed that by eating the meat of ayam tsemani chickens, they could ease the pangs of conscience. And listening to the roosters crow - become rich and successful. Their images were used in interior design, postage stamps and emblems.

Spreading

In the mid-90s, black chickens came to Europe. And then to America, where the price for adult individuals reached $2500-3000.

Now ayam tsemani are found in the Netherlands, Germany, the Czech Republic, Slovakia and some CIS countries. It is noteworthy that opinions about the direction of the breed in different countries differ. Some consider them meat and egg birds, others consider them ornamental birds.

Analogs

• There is not a single breed in the world that in its coloring is at least somewhat reminiscent of Ayam Tsemani. However, Bentamok chickens can be used as an ornamental breed native to Indonesia. They have a pleasant appearance, small size, and also do not require special conditions of maintenance. In addition, these birds are distributed throughout Russia, so they can be bought much cheaper than Ayam Tsemani.
• For lovers of unusual breeds of chickens, Small Holoshecks may be suitable. They are black in color. However, the body remains light, and the crest, face and earrings are painted scarlet. These birds can also be purchased without any problems at any farm in Russia.

Which is better?

Types of black chickens are conventionally divided into 3 main categories depending on their purposes:

• decorative;
• egg;
• egg and meat.

Therefore, it is best to choose a breed after you decide which variety suits you. It must be taken into account that in any of the categories egg production is quite active in all breeds

Therefore, it is important to consider whether you need decoration, and whether the birds will be slaughtered for meat. Based on this, select the variety

Rate the chickens based on three indicators: body weight, number of eggs per year, egg weight. Meat breeds are larger and heavier; if you rely on egg production, take the number of eggs and their weight as a basis.

It is important to know that the productivity of chickens can be increased, but this must be done as carefully and carefully as possible. Under no circumstances should chemicals be used

Diet

The bird's diet should be composed of succulent and green feed - approximately 70%. Chickens do not eat much, but are selective in their food. They prefer green grass, although they do not refuse vegetables, fruits, and root vegetables.

For normal development, chickens must be provided with constant access to clean water and concentrated feed. For this purpose, different grain mixtures and feed are used. Chickens should be fed a balanced diet. If you switch them entirely to grain or mixed feed, the unique properties of eggs and meat are lost.

Breeding "Indonesian"

To obtain “purebred” Ayam Tsemani, the family is kept separately from other breeds. The “wild” gene in the pedigree of the “Indonesians” had a beneficial effect on the fertility of the birds.

Subtleties of mating

Chickens and roosters are taken from unrelated families. It is better that the birds come from different farms. If two roosters are purchased, the manufacturer is changed for the next year. The ideal sex ratio is 5 hens per rooster.

The high fertilization ability of nigellas was inherited from the wild green junglefowl. Fertilization of eggs among “Indonesian” women is almost 100%.

Incubation period

Females have a brooding instinct, but it is not their obligatory quality. To hatch or hatch, you have to use an incubator. It is not known whether the chicken will hatch the eggs to the end; if she refuses to hatch, the clutch will have to be urgently saved, so it is better to prepare an incubator in advance.

Incubation lasts 21 days. Temperature – +37.8°C. If you increase it, the chickens will hatch prematurely - this should not be allowed. If the incubator does not have automatic egg turning, you have to turn them manually every 2 hours - a very tedious and responsible task. Turning stops only two days before the chicks hatch. The temperature is then reduced to +37.5°C.

Care of offspring

Newborn chicks are black, squeaky, with short fluff. From birth they have strong immunity. Survival rate – 95-100%

To ensure that the chicks do not get sick and grow well, it is important to provide them with favorable conditions:

• For the first two weeks, the temperature is maintained at +28-+30 °C. Then the temperature is gradually reduced to room temperature.
• When the chickens grow up, they are transferred to a separate windproof enclosure. You cannot keep young birds together with adult birds; among them there may be aggressive individuals that will kill the young offspring. Young birds are placed with adult birds at two months of age.

Nutrition from early days to adulthood

Feeding Features:

• The chickens are given starter feed - regular millet with eggs is not enough for them. Chopped eggs are added to the feed. Dry food is left freely available.
• In the first week, chickens are fed cottage cheese with a fat content of up to 15%. They also give crushed corn grits and greens.
• Vitamins are given to each chicken - dripping into its beak.
• From one month, chickens are completely transferred to balanced feed - they are selected according to age. Feed is taken with a high protein content. The diet should also include herbal flour, root vegetables, and mineral supplements. Maggots are recommended.
• Boiled water is given in special drinking bowls. In addition to water, the chicks are given a glucose solution and weakly brewed tea.

Planned herd replacement

Black chickens are often purchased for decorative purposes; in this case, there is no need to rush to replace the stock - the birds can live safely and decorate the poultry yard for a long time.

In theory, the breeding stock is replaced annually. Birds are selected for breeding and a new flock is formed. Birds that are not suitable for breeding are sold or slaughtered. It is not possible to carry out a planned replacement with the Ayam Tsemani breed due to the rarity of the breed. And then the degeneration of the breed becomes inevitable.

In order to delay degeneration as much as possible, old laying hens are left behind, and the strictest selection is carried out among the young. If you try very hard, you can avoid inbreeding (family ties) - but then out of 10 chickens you will have to select no more than one pullet.

General information about the breed

It is known that Ayam Tsemani chickens are one of the most ancient domestic “pets” in the world. After research, scientists were able to establish that these birds were bred several thousand years ago.

It is believed that the first place where these black chickens appeared was the outskirts of the town of Solo. Located on one of the Indonesian islands - Middle Java. It is believed that the Ayam Tsemani black chickens descended from the Ayam Bekisar hybrid chickens. Which were bred by crossing green jungle roosters and domestic or bank jungle crusts.

Experts believe that there are simply no purebred representatives of Ayam Tsemani left in the world, and the entire population of these black hens currently available is, to one degree or another, half-breed.

Representatives of this breed were unknown to Europeans for centuries. And only in the first quarter of the last century, settlers from Holland who settled in Indonesia paid attention to these unusual birds and began studying them. But the first specimens of this breed came to Europe only at the end of the last century. They were brought to the Netherlands by the local breeder Steverink.

Today, representatives of the Ayam Tsemani breed can rarely be found on European farms. These birds are mainly raised in the following countries:

• Slovaks;
• Czech Republic;
• Holland;
• Germany;
• Belarus;
• Ukraine;
• USA.

Recommendations for care and maintenance

The timid and anxious disposition of individuals of the decorative breed practically does not allow contact with them. Stress causes chickens to lose weight and lay eggs worse. A reasonable solution would be to arrange a special chicken coop for them in a secluded place, away from noise and other animals.

Black birds are aggressive towards both people and birds: at the slightest movements in their direction, they demonstrate a fighting character and begin to defend themselves.

Because The homeland of Ayam Tsemani, who lay gray eggs, is the tropics, the chicken coop must meet the needs of their breed. Equally important are diet, feed composition and veterinary control.

Aviary for chickens

It is recommended to place 5 hens and only 1 rooster in 1 cage, because... males behave extremely aggressively in the fight for a female or food. Birds jump and fly high, so the aviary should be surrounded by a 2.5 m high fence. Also, prudent poultry farmers cover the area from above.

It is necessary to prepare a pen for walking, because in the summer it is useful for Indonesian chickens to run. In winter they are not allowed outside.

An aviary for walking chickens of the Ayam Tsemani breed must have a high fence.

Setting up a chicken coop

For harmonious development, birds require a lot of free space. It is better to build a chicken coop in such a way that there are 2 chickens per 1 square meter. Choose a quiet, deserted area so that nothing scares the bird. Representatives of this species are accustomed to long daylight hours, so the windows of their home should face the south side.

The temperature in the poultry house should not fall below 15℃, otherwise the chickens may catch a cold. Provide ventilation in the upper part of the home. In winter, install fluorescent lamps and heating devices. The floor can be covered with sawdust, straw, hay, the thickness of which should be at least 15 cm. Remove excrement regularly. The flooring is changed during the disinfection of the chicken coop, which is carried out 2 times a month.

Bird diet

In order for the digestion process to proceed smoothly, it is recommended to install containers filled with small pebbles and shell rock. In addition, in the house you can place baths with a special mixture of ash and sand, which birds like to use to clean their feathers.

Choosing feed for chickens.

The daily diet of Indonesian black chickens may include the following elements:

• green grass (summer), sprouted grain (winter);
• mixed feed with the obligatory inclusion of leguminous crops;
• warm wet mixture of vegetables, pulp, pine flour;
• bran;
• yeast;
• meat waste;
• vitamin and mineral complex.

As cold weather approaches, animals need vitamin supplements more frequently. Birds can be fed with eggshells, chalk and table salt.

More attention should be paid to feeding black chickens. During the first 2 weeks, their food can only be low-fat cottage cheese, as well as finely chopped egg yolks and whites. Liquid vitamins should be placed in the beak once a week.

After 2 months of such nutrition, half of the diet can be replaced with mixed feed and gradually increase its amount. Corn grits are also suitable for chicks.

Breeding Ayam Tsemani

In the Russian climate, it is almost impossible to fulfill the requirements necessary for the proper maintenance of black chickens, so breeding an ornamental breed makes sense only if there is a regular buyer. The only exception can be considered the south of central Russia, because climatic conditions suitable for breeding are concentrated there.

Another important obstacle to raising chickens is the lack of initial material, i.e. birds with pure genes for breeding. Individuals of Ayam Tsemani must be kept separately from other breeds and not allowed to interbreed.

Features of keeping adults

Chickens are used to warm weather with high humidity levels. They do not tolerate frosts and piercing autumn winds well.

In hot weather, continuous access to water is required. To maintain health, you can add vitamins to your morning portion, alternating them with a weak solution of tea or potassium permanganate.

Chicken coop

Basic requirements for the premises:

• protected from drafts;
• has additional heating, ventilation and lighting;
• The area is sufficient, designed to accommodate 5-6 individuals per 1 sq. m.;
• places have been allocated for nests and incubation chambers;
• closed or semi-closed drinking bowls;
• the presence of a thick layer of absorbent bedding;
• longitudinal low feeders.

Disinfection is carried out regularly, before which the litter is completely removed.

Nutrition

They are not picky about food; for normal development and the formation of a strong bone foundation, the diet must contain:

• compound feed;
• mash of vegetables, pulp, silage;
• vitamins;
• bran.

In the warm season, live food and grass mass are added.

Walking area

Located on the sunny side, protected from drafts. Artificial surfaces in the form of asphalt or concrete slabs are not acceptable.

Birds fly well; the height of the fence should be at least 2.5 meters. Sometimes complete mesh coverage is required, even on top. Drinkers must be placed on the territory, a place for feeding, a sand slide and an ash bath are allocated.

In winter, chickens of the Ayam Tsemani breed are not allowed to roam; they quickly freeze their paws and show symptoms of colds.

Possible diseases

The main problem is a cold. Chickens that have undergone a full range of vaccinations develop stable immunity to other diseases. During a period of mass diseases of livestock in neighboring farms, the following may appear:

• infections, including colibacillosis, chicken pox;
• helminthic parasites;
• avitaminosis.

In general, the breed has high disease resistance. The legacy of wild ancestors, who still live in natural conditions on the islands of Indonesia, is telling.