It doesn’t matter what type of chickens you need to purchase for your first flock, or what particular version you need to make to your present one, there’s a limitless number of these particular birds on the market.
You’ll be able to select primarily based on goal, measurement, temperament and naturally colour!
For many who need a rooster that appears mysterious and dignified, or perhaps even a bit of bit sinister, it’s onerous to go flawed with black.
They actually have a sensible goal, and should assist to repel birds of prey. However regardless of your cause for wanting them, you’ll haven’t any scarcity of decisions. I’ll inform you about 21 black rooster breeds on this article.
| Hen Breed | Measurement | Avg. Weight, lbs | Objective | Eggs, Yearly | Egg Shade | Egg Measurement | Broodiness |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ayam Cemani | Medium | 5 to six.5 | Decorative | 75 | Off-white | Medium | Average |
| Svarthona | Medium | 4.5 to five | Decorative | 100 | white, off-white, pale yellow | Medium | Average |
| Kadaknath | Small | 2.5 to 4 | Decorative | 75 | Cream | Small | Average |
| Jersey Large | Further Giant | 9 to 12 | Utility | 150 | Brown | Further Giant | Low |
| Breda | Medium | 5.5 to eight | Eggs | 200 | White | Giant | Average |
| Orpington | Giant | 6.5 to eight.5 kilos | Exhibition, Eggs | 200+ | Brown | Giant | Excessive |
| Java | Giant | 7 to 9.5 | Twin Use | 150 | Brown | Giant | Excessive |
| Ancona | Medium | 4.5 to five.5. | Eggs | 220 | White | Medium or Giant | Very Low |
| Cochin | Further Giant | 10.5 to 13 | Exhibition | 150 to 180 | Brown | Giant | Excessive |
| Black Australorp | Giant | 6.75 to 9 | Twin Use | 250+ | Tan, Brown | Giant | Excessive |
| La Fleche | Giant | 7 to eight | Exhibition | 180 | White | Giant | Very Low |
| H’Mong | Medium | 5.5 to 7 | Utility | 100 | Off-White | Medium | Average |
| Langshan | Giant | 7 to 10 | Exhibition | 120 | Darkish Brown | Giant | Average |
| Sumatra | Small | 3.5 to five | Exhibition | 100 | Ivory | Small | Excessive |
| Black Shumen | Medium | 4.5 to five.5 | Exhibition | 165 | Gentle Grey | Medium | Very Low |
| Ulikba | Medium | Varies | Utility | Varies | Varies | Medium | Average |
| Hamburg | Small | 3.5 to five.5 | Exhibition | 175 | White | Medium | Low |
| Crested Polish | Medium | 4 to six | Exhibition, Utility | 120 | White | Small | Low |
| Silkie | Small | 3 to five | Exhibition, Hatching | 100 | Off-White, Tan | Small | Excessive |
| Valdarno | Medium | 5 to six.5 | Exhibition | 150 | Gentle Brown, Tan | Medium | Average |
| Crevecoeur | Medium | 6.5 to 7.5 | Exhibition, Utility | 100 | White | Medium | Average |
All Black Hen Breeds
There’s black, after which there’s black! The next breeds are very particular as a result of they’re really all black, inside and outside. Feathers, pores and skin, combs, wattles, eyes, beak, muscle mass, and even their very bones.
In order for you a chook as black as black might be, decide one from this quick record.
1. Ayam Cemani
Probably the most well-known chickens on the planet resulting from its rarity and extraordinary value, with adults often going for a number of thousand {dollars}, the Ayam Cemani is a few significantly prestigious poultry.
Medium-sized and solely topping out at about 6.5 kilos, making them simple to deal with,
These birds are nonetheless troublesome to breed, and raised predominantly for meat.
The one factor about these jet-black chickens that isn’t black is their medium, off-white eggs, of which they solely lay round at 75 per 12 months in batches of 20 or so.
These regal and mysterious chickens aren’t something to be afraid of although: they’re identified to have pleasant, endearing personalities.
2. Svarthona
A Swedish rooster, that is one other chook that’s black inside and outside, and is believed to have been descended from the Ayam Cemani or Kadaknath, being first delivered to Sweden by merchants and sailors.
Although it seems very related in total colour, measurement and weight, they’re a bit of smaller total with roosters hardly ever exceeding 5 kilos.
These birds are additionally identified to put many extra eggs in comparison with their distant cousins: The eggs are small, white, off-white or yellowish in colour, and hens are typically considerably broody.
Thought of a livestock species of essential cultural significance, the Svarthona has loved the consideration of getting its genes interred in a gene financial institution to protect them for future generations and likewise future breeding.
3. Kadaknath
The final really all black rooster on the record, the Kadaknath is an Indian rooster that’s revered for its supposedly medicinal meat.
Whether or not you consider in its conventional function in folks medication or not, what’s true is that these chickens are surprisingly lean, and their meat does comprise extra nutritional vitamins and minerals than typical rooster.
Extremely uncommon and costly within the West, and regarded as descended from the Ayam Cemani above (although not conclusively confirmed) these chickens are sluggish to breed, usually laying solely about 70 to 80 small, cream-colored eggs per 12 months.
Hens are considerably broody, and no marvel: the species is at the moment threatened.
The smallest of the all-black chickens on this record, hens usually weigh about 2.5 kilos (1.1 kilograms) with roosters topping out just a bit bit over 4 kilos (1.8 kilograms).
Partially Black Hen Breeds
Some chickens might be mentioned to be black, even all black, however they aren’t really black like those up above.
Perhaps their feathers are simply black from beak to tail, or perhaps they’ve black pores and skin and legs, however combs and wattles of a distinct colour.
In any case, assuming you don’t need the novelty, or the expense, of any of the true exotics above, you’ll in all probability nonetheless discover loads to love on this record.
4. Jersey Large
An iconic American rooster, and one which positively charges its title! These huge chickens can high out over 12 kilos (5.5 kilograms) within the case of roosters, and even hens develop to a formidable 9 kilos on the excessive aspect.
With charcoal black plumage that’s tinted with emerald highlights, these are positively spectacular birds.
Initially the premier rooster for meat manufacturing in North America, it has since been supplanted however stays as a preferred heritage breed that’s saved for eggs and meat alike.
Though total manufacturing is considerably low, averaging anyplace from 150 to 175 per 12 months, the eggs are extraordinarily massive and brown in colour.
5. Breda
A particular-looking chook with an much more distinctive gait, the Breda hails from Holland and is notable for its complete lack of comb, outsized wattles and feathery ft. These traits make them ideally fitted to survival in chilly climates.
On the bigger finish of the medium measurement class, roosters often high out round 8 kilos with hens just a bit bit much less at 5.5 to six kilos.
An honest dual-use breed, if eggs are what you’re after, you may count on round 4 massive, white eggs weekly.
Recognized to be shy, bordering on docile, these are hardly ever the chickens in any flock to trigger bother.
6. Orpington
Initially used as dual-purpose tremendous layers in England the place they had been developed, Orpingtons are well-known for a few causes…
They had been famously used as contributors to the genetics of the Black Australorp, and likewise for his or her fabulously comfortable, even temperaments.
Orpingtons solely simply qualify as a bigger breed, with roosters averaging about 8.5 kilos (3.8 kilograms).
Though nonetheless raised for eggs immediately, the present manufacturing is nowhere close to the historic requirements of the breed; they nonetheless produce 200 medium to large-sized mild brown eggs per 12 months.
7. Java
One of many oldest domesticated breeds of rooster on the planet, the Java, regardless of its title, is definitely an American breed, however one which was descended from imported Asian inventory, therefore the title.
An lively dual-use breed that likes to free vary and forage, Javas have a tendency towards broodiness, and usually lay about 3 massive brown eggs per week, or approx. 150 per 12 months.
However regardless of their essential legacy, the Java is critically endangered immediately, and the truth that they’re slow-growing, massive birds – with roosters maxing out at about 9.5 kilos – means they want all the assistance they’ll get.
8. Ancona
A medium-sized breed originating from Italy and identified for dependable, regular egg manufacturing, the Ancona is described as robust, lively, and a really succesful flier.
These birds have ebony black plumage with frivolously spattered white speckles interspersed all through entails which have white ideas.
Maintaining them contained is certainly the toughest a part of managing them, however in return you’ll have an ample provide of round 220 medium to massive white eggs per 12 months, and hens will hardly ever, if ever, go broody.
9. Cochin
Formally known as the Cochin China, the Cochin is an impressive, massive chook that options all-black plumage and shaggy, feathered ft.
Men and women alike are fairly massive, with roosters topping out at almost 13 kilos, whereas females are proper behind them at 10.5 kilos.
The Cochin is a pure showbird, and has been extensively bread and chosen for magnificence and different fascinating bodily traits on the expense of all others.
That being mentioned, they’re pretty good layers of enormous, brown-colored eggs and can usually lay proper via the winter, usually producing between 150 and 180 eggs per 12 months.
Additionally, the mothering traits of hens haven’t been bred out of them, and most are typically pretty broody, good sitters and doting moms.
10. Black Australorp
A utility Australian breed reared for each meat and eggs, the Australorp is probably most well-known as a world record-beating egg layer.
First developed within the late Nineteenth and early twentieth century, the Australorp has been beloved by Western civilization since its introduction.
Black is a typical colour for these birds, and their plumage is usually the wealthy, shiny colour of spilled ink which is in flip splendidly set off by their brilliant, ruby-red combs and wattles.
These are bigger birds, with roosters maxing out at round 8.8 kilos and females often tipping the scales on the excessive aspect at 6.7 kilos.
These birds’ historic egg-laying functionality has tended to fall by the wayside within the curiosity of different utility options…
Nonetheless, it’s nonetheless nothing to sneeze at with hens laying round 250 mild brown or tan eggs per 12 months like clockwork, though people from sure strains will nonetheless lay an egg a day all via the 12 months!
Additionally, Australorps are identified for going broody however they’re superb sitters and revert to being wonderful moms after they do hatch chicks, offering keepers with the most effective of each worlds whether or not you need to naturally increase your flock or not.
11. La Fleche
Exceedingly uncommon French chickens which can be famous to be significantly delicate to environmental situations, immediately the La Fleche is bred immediately primarily as a historic breed for present and cultural significance.
They had been imported to the USA within the early a part of the twentieth century, however the local weather was right here was principally inhospitable to them, and the observe has largely ceased.
A selected bodily attribute, except for their jet black feathers and ashy, grey legs, is the 2 pronged comb current on men and women which seems like a classical set of satan horns, and has given rise to the favored nickname of “satan comb”.
These birds are typically on a bigger finish of the medium-size class, with roosters maxing out at round 8 kilos and females being round 7.25 kilos.
Regardless of being primarily a present breed solely nowadays, females are succesful egg layers, producing round 180 medium to massive white eggs per 12 months.
12. H’mong
An extremely uncommon and localized ethnic breed belonging to the H’mong folks unfold throughout Southeast Asia, these chickens are present in every kind of colours, from ink black to an ashy grey to a black-to-white fade.
These chickens are additionally notoriously aggressive, and roosters will usually battle one another to the dying so as to set up supremacy because the alpha over a gaggle.
These chickens are additionally notable for having black meat and bones, although different elements of their physique will not be black in any respect.
A medium-sized rooster, they’re comparatively sluggish layers, often solely turning out about 100 medium-sized off-white eggs per 12 months.
13. Langshan
“Langshan” can really describe a wide range of breeds, however most descended instantly from the Croad Langshan of China.
Stout, comparatively quick and fairly heavy, these burly birds often high out at a bit of over 10 kilos within the case of roosters, however females are considerably lighter, maxing out at just a bit bit over 7 kilos.
With comfortable, lustrous black feathers that run all the way in which down their legs to their ft, Langshans carry themselves in a particular U-shape, owing to their sloping backs, upright necks and upright tails.
Females are reasonably broody, and it pretty succesful layers, often producing round 120 darkish brown eggs yearly.
14. Sumatra
A exceptional sport breed that, because the title suggests, hails from Indonesia, Sumatra chickens had been initially imported each the USA and Europe within the mid-Nineteenth century for the needs of combating.
Though lengthy out of style and unlawful in a lot of the Western society, these birds weren’t allowed to perish and have been saved alive as a showbirds due to their unbelievable plumage and dignified carriage.
Sumatra chickens are notable for a couple of issues: magnificent, black feathers with an emerald sheen, lengthy and wild tail feathers, a close to full lack of wattles, and a number of spurs on every leg within the case of roosters.
However, like many sport birds, the Sumatra is a reasonably poor egg layer, and females will hardly ever produce greater than 100 small ivory-colored eggs a 12 months.
It must be famous, nonetheless, that hens are extremely broody and willl attempt to hatch each egg that they lay.
Additionally they occur to be ferocious fighters when provoked, so it’s a very good factor that these chickens hardly ever weigh greater than 5 kilos!
15. Black Shumen
One other uncommon breed on the verge of extinction that hails from Bulgaria, the Black Shumen’s declare to fame is that it was as soon as briefly crossbred with Rhode Island Purple chickens.
Notable for his or her charcoal black feathers and forest inexperienced sheen, these are positively handsome birds at any fee!
They’re smallish, round 5.5 kilos, however they’re succesful layers and mature rapidly, which means they’re an honest alternative for a legacy breed in order for you a modest quantity of eggs: hens lay round 165 medium, mild grey eggs per 12 months.
16. Ulikba
Not an unofficial breed, per se, the Ulikba is a catch-all class for Philippine chickens which can be all black in colour and believed to be of blended descent from Kadaknath or Ayam Cemani chickens.
As you would possibly count on, some could be really all black, others partially so, and nonetheless others might solely have black plumage.
Due to their reputations as mutts, these chickens had no particular popularity till very just lately when pure black chickens turned extremely en vogue elsewhere on the planet.
This result in farmers of significantly spectacular specimens to begin elevating costs on dwell birds and eggs alike.
Manufacturing, traits, and different important options clearly differ resulting from their blended parentage.
17. Hamburg
An exquisite, picturesque black and white rooster hailing from Holland, or alternately from Hamburg, Germany relying on who you ask, the Hamburg is a small to medium-sized breed which tops out at just below 5.5 kilos for roosters and hens are considerably smaller at about 3.5 kilos.
Though the precise origins are unknown, what is understood is that this can be a significantly previous and venerable breed, originating in some unspecified time in the future within the 14th century.
Good producers of small, shiny white eggs, females are identified to be solely barely broody, which is nice as a result of you may count on them to provide round 175 eggs per 12 months.
18. Crested Polish
Probably the most exceptional and exquisite chickens on this record is the medium-sized Polish, or Crested Polish.
Because the title suggests, probably the most notable bodily attribute of those birds is the immense, drooping crown of feathers adorning their heads.
These feathers are so massive they really prohibit the poor chook’s subject of view, and this may result in them being nervous and simply startled.
Though extremely fashionable on the present circuit for apparent causes, the breed was initially created for egg manufacturing, a top quality they preserve immediately.
Although females tip the scales at only a hair over 4 kilos, they are going to usually produce round 120 small white eggs yearly.
It hardly compares to a number of the fashionable, high-production home breeds, however if you happen to don’t need many eggs and simply need a marvelous-looking rooster, it’s onerous to go flawed with the Crested Polish.
19. Silkie
For a lot of readers of this record, the silkie is a rooster that hardly wants an introduction.
They earned their title from the completely luxurious, satiny, fluffy plumage that covers their whole physique from the highest of their head to the highest of their ft, and likewise notable they’ve black pores and skin and bones, however bluish wattles and beaks.
A perennial favourite on the present circuit, these small, 3 pound chickens are nonetheless midway respectable egg layers, and hens produce round 100 off-white or tan-colored eggs yearly.
Nevertheless, there isn’t any home rooster that’s extra more likely to go broody than the Silkie, and as a rule, hens will try and hatch each egg that they lay, and after hatching they show to be extraordinarily caring and attentive moms.
This tendency in the direction of fixed broodiness has led intelligent keepers to make use of Silkie hens as surrogate moms for the eggs of different breeds, and typically even different species of birds!
20. Valdarno
One other Italian breed, and one more breed that was pushed to the very precipice of extinction, I’m comfortable to report that the Valdarno is making a restoration as of immediately.
A medium-sized dual-use breed weighing about 6.5 kilos, for roosters, and solely a bit of bit much less at about 5 kilos for hens, these are chickens of totally standard look, although their feathers are notable for having a particular matte look versus the shiny sheen of different breeds.
These chickens are typically considerably high-strung and energetic, however they’re succesful layers of significantly dense and, supposedly, extremely flavorful eggs: You’ll be able to count on about 150 mild brown or tan eggs yearly from considered one of these hens.
21. Crevecoeur
A severely endangered French breed, and one other crested rooster that has a outstanding V-shaped comb buried beneath all these feathers on their heads.
These chickens are additionally notable for being bred beforehand bought as a meat birds, as their meat is meant to be of outstanding high quality.
On the heavier finish of the medium measurement class as soon as once more, males often weigh about 7.5 kilos, with females weighing solely barely much less at round 6.25 to six.5 kilos.
Hardly ever encountered past France, although they’re making a sluggish comeback.
Should you do get your fingers on considered one of these spectacular crested chickens and need to use it for egg-laying functions, you may count on a few hundred medium-sized white eggs per 12 months.
Greatest Newbie-Pleasant Black Breeds
Are you a starting rooster keeper, and know solely that you really want a black breed and nothing else? Don’t fear: I’ve three nice suggestions for you that received’t allow you to down.
Silkie
The Silkie rooster, described above, is not only well-known for that fabulous plumage but in addition for his or her amazingly heat and endearing personalities, and likewise for being wonderful moms to their chicks.
Assuming your silky isn’t defending a clutch of eggs in preparation for hatching, you may relaxation assured that these personable birds can be simply one other member of the household.
Jersey Large
The Jersey large, regardless of its enormous and considerably intimidating measurement, has a popularity for endurance, endurance, and tranquility with folks.
These are additionally hardy, wholesome birds that hardly ever undergo from any severe maladies, a mix of traits which makes them supreme for the primary time proprietor as long as you aren’t afraid of them once you do have to take management.
One factor to remember is that Jersey Giants, as affected person as they’re, wish to get their means with chickens which can be smaller than they’re when in a blended flock. Even so, they usually act as peacekeepers extra usually than bullies.
Orpington
The Orpington is one other famously easy-going rooster, and typically they’re mentioned to behave extra like canine than chickens!
Many Orpington homeowners report that their birds bond with them rapidly, and are all the time comfortable to see them. Orpingtons hardly ever trigger bother, and are infrequently really aggressive.
There’s a lot to love about them contemplating their total utility, attractiveness and good attitudes- an ideal newbie chook!
