Where to Buy Black Chickens: A Guide to Finding Rare Black Chicken Breeds

Black chickens are some of the most striking and exotic backyard chickens you can raise. With their jet black feathers and often vibrant personalities, they make a unique addition to any flock. But where can you find these rare black feathered birds? Here’s a guide to locating and buying black chicken breeds.

Understanding Black Chickens

To begin, it’s helpful to know what makes a black chicken black. For people with fibromelanosis or hyperpigmentation, the deep, dark color is caused by their genes. This makes the chicken make more melanin, which is the pigment that gives black things their color. It is bad for the feathers, skin, organs, and even bones.

True black chicken breeds with this genetic mutation originate mainly from Asia, including

• Ayam Cemani: This Indonesian breed’s feathers are a beautiful metallic sheen, and the comb and wattles are also black.

• Silkie – Fluffy-feathered silkies come in black, and have black skin and bones. Their feathers lack barbicels so look furry.

• Chinese Silkie—Chinese silkies look a lot alike, but their feathers are different. Some may have dark blue or purple tints.

• Kadaknath – An Indian breed prized for its black meat used in traditional medicine.

• Orpington – Orpingtons come in buff, blue, black and white. The black variety has a gorgeous green sheen.

Another type is the black Plymouth Rock, Jersey Giant, and Swedish Flower Hen, which are all North American and European breeds. These black feathered chickens don’t have the same hyperpigmentation.

Benefits of Raising Black Chickens

So why might you want to add black chickens to your backyard flock? Here are some of the benefits:

• Unique appearance – Their striking black plumage makes them stand out. The sheen can range from green to purple iridescence.

• Excellent egg layers – Some black breeds like Orpingtons and Silkies are very productive egg layers. You’ll get lovely brown or cream colored eggs.

• Heritage breeds – Ayam Cemanis and Kadaknaths are rare heritage breeds to help preserve genetic diversity.

• Docile personalities – Many black chickens like Silkies have calm, friendly personalities, even the roosters. They’re great with children.

• Heat tolerance – Originating from tropical regions, black chickens handle heat very well. Their black skin tolerates sunlight.

• Medicinal uses – In parts of Asia, black chicken meat is prized for its health benefits. Kadaknath is particularly revered in Indian medicine.

So whether you’re looking for a beautiful ornamental chicken, a steady egg layer, or a hardy bird suited for hot climates, a black breed may be perfect for you. Now let’s look at where you can find them.

Where to Buy Black Chicken Breeds

Searching for black chickens to buy? Here are some of the best sources to find your rare black breed chicks or adults:

Online Mail Order Hatcheries

One of the easiest ways to source black chicken breeds is to order them from a hatchery that ships day-old chicks nationwide. Here are some top picks:

• Meyer Hatchery – A family-owned hatchery in Ohio that’s been operating since 1965. They have a great selection of black chicken breeds to choose from, including Ayam Cemani, Silkie, Kadaknath, and Swedish Black Hen.

• Cackle Hatchery – Based in Missouri, Cackle has been hatching chickens since 1936. They offer black Silkies, Ayam Cemanis, and Black Orpingtons.

• My Pet Chicken – This Connecticut hatchery specializes in providing backyard chicken keepers with rare and unique breeds. They have Ayam Cemanis available.

• Purely Poultry – With a large selection of over 100 breeds, Purely Poultry in California offers black Silkies, Orpingtons and Ayam Cemanis.

Most hatcheries ship chicks nationwide, so you can get black chicks delivered directly to your door. Order early as rare breeds often sell out quick!

Local Feed Stores

Check with local farm, feed and agriculture stores in your area. Some may work with local hatcheries or breeders to source chicks each spring. While they may not have the rare black breeds, you may find black chick varieties of Orpingtons, Plymouth Rocks or Cochins.

Local Classified Listings

Search local classifieds sites like Craigslist for people selling black chicken breeds in your area. Since they don’t need to ship, you can often get adults, juveniles, chicks and fertilized eggs at good prices. Just remember to ask about the health and background of the birds before purchasing.

Poultry Swaps and Shows

Attending a local poultry swap meet or show is a great way to network with breeders and poultry enthusiasts in your region. Let others know you’re searching for black breeds, and you may find someone with chicks or adults to sell. These events are also fun even if you don’t plan to buy!

Specialty Chicken Farms

Some small farms focus exclusively on breeding and selling black chicken breeds. Check to see if there are any specialty black chicken breeders in your part of the country. Here are a few to look for:

• Black House Farm (New York) – Ayam Cemanis and Black Silkies

• Dark Star Farm (California) – Black Jersey Giants

• Black Satin Farm (Alabama) – Ayam Cemanis and Black Satins

• Feather Lover Farms (California) – Ayam Cemanis

Buying directly from specialty breeders allows you to see the parent stock and quality of the birds. Make sure to call farms before visiting.

What to Look for When Buying Black Chickens

When searching for black chickens to purchase, keep these tips in mind:

• Verify the breed – Some hatcheries sell mixed black chick assortments. Make sure you’re getting the specific black breed you want.

• Check for quality – Look for indications of health like bright eyes, activity level, clean vent feathers. Avoid lethargic or sickly birds.

• Review parent stock – For breeds like Ayam Cemanis and Kadaknaths, look at photos of the parents. Solid black breeding stock should produce solid black offspring.

• Know signs of crossbreeds – Crossbred birds may show unexpected colors, like white patches or speckling. Some hatcheries sell crosses.

• Read reviews – Check online reviews of the seller or breeder to learn about others’ experiences with them. Look for consistant quality.

• Understand pricing – Purebred black chicken breeds are more expensive than hybrids. Expect to pay $50 or more per Ayam Cemani chick.

• Prepare for shipping – Order chicks early so they don’t endure excessive travel time. Opt for 1-2 day express shipping if possible.

Taking the time to find a quality source for your black chickens will give you the best chance of success, especially with demanding breeds like Ayam Cemanis. Let the seller know if you need any special care tips once you get your birds home.

Caring for Black Chickens

Caring for black feathered breeds is similar to raising any backyard chicken. Here are some tips:

• Give them space – Black chickens need at least 2-4 square feet inside the coop and 8-10 square feet in the outdoor run.

• Add shade – Black feathers absorb heat, so give them access to shaded areas. Silkies in particular are prone to heat stress.

• Supplement minerals – Since black chicken bones and tissues contain extra melanin, provide minerals like calcium for proper growth.

• Protect their skin – Apply sunblock or zinc oxide to their combs and wattles if needed. The black skin is still vulnerable to sunburn.

• Keep them dry – The fluffy feathers of silkies hold moisture. Ensure their coop and run has good drainage and dry bedding.

• Prevent frostbit – For breeds with feathered feet like Silkies, trim the feathers to prevent frostbite in very cold climates.

With good feed, housing, and protection from temperature extremes, your black chickens should thrive and grace you with their gorgeous colored eggs.

Enjoy the Rarity of Raising Black Chickens

Black feathered chicken breeds make a striking addition to any backyard flock. They come in a diverse range of breeds from around the world, each with their own personality and traits. Seek out reputable sellers with quality birds and proper breeding. Then get ready to enjoy these special black beauties as they strut their stuff in your own poultry yard!