Black-fleshed chickens

[Terry Allan Hall]

Watched a program about China last night and chickens w/ black meat/bones were discussed, but I didn't catch the name of the breed(s)...anyone know anything?

 

[silkiechicken]

They are silkies. I raise them for pets and some for meat.

 

[Josie]

I think they were talking about silkies.

 

[SpottedCrow]

Black skin
Black bones
Black meat

Those are Silkies all the way.

 

[Terry Allan Hall]

THanks a bunch!

 

[Katy]

I just hatched my first silkies about a month ago and that black skin takes some getting used to!!

 

[Picco]

There are several black skinned breeds, but I think the silkie is the only one commonly available in the US. In Asia there are many different blacked skin breeds that have mostly been developed for meat. In some East Asian cultures the meat from black skinned chickens is thought to have medicinal properties and is eaten when someone is ill or for special occasions. I often see black skinned chicken in Asian supermarkets here in the US and doubt that it is from silkies because the carcass is rather large. There is probably a black skinned meat breed that is used to supply this demand, perhaps a silkie cross. In Korea there is a breed called "ogul" and is a common breed used for meat production and there are several other black skinned breeds listed on the feathersite.

 

[johnnyjack]

dont think i could ever eat a silikie

 

[silkiechicken]

Silkies don't taste that bad. I think it depends on the strain of silkie. I know the supermarket silkies out here are tiny compared to my little beasts. They butcher really young for supermarket silkies. It is desirable in Chinese medicine that the silkie be a small young female, but, we all know we can't sacrifice hens!!!

 

[wclawrence]

Ayam Cemani is a Fibromelanotic chicken.
I also have some Black-meated Longtails.