If you ’ve ever wondered what the most expensivechicken breedsin the U.S. are , you ’re not alone . These uncommon and luxurious bird are prise for their stunning plumage , strange genetics , and sometimes even their eggs .
poulet , like many Instagram - worthy farm animals , can be quite expensive and bougie . Old Macdonald ’s Farm might have been more lucrative if he had just focused on raising rarefied and alien poultry . The National Chicken Council claim , “ The chicken industry in the United States is one of the most successful sectors in USDA . ” But when it come down to price per bird , the highest profit come from feeling and rarity , rather than their productiveness or note value in kernel and eggs .
Breeders and hatchery are selling more per animal because of the rare and alien qualities buyers are seeking . As with every industry , the more base the breeding course of study is , the higher the prices will be . The genetics , feedback from customer and pictures of multi - generations the breeder has produced are what determine how established a training political program is .
The fascinating humanity of fancy chicken rearing is not raw . The National Agricultural Library reports , “ The goal of successful poultry procreation has shifted through clock time . The first chicken were cover for their ability to do activities that had piddling to do with food production . Skinner ’s history of strain identifies chickens used for cockfighting as being historically the most valuable until the early nineteenth century ( 1974 ) . Chickens bred for their appearance and public presentation in poultry exhibits were also more valued than the menial birds used for meat and egg . ”
Top 10 List of Most Expensive Chicken Breeds
Today ’s market prizes these 10 breeds as the most expensive , exploring what qualities are driving up the prices for buyers . While value is a sliding scale depending on where you shop and when , these are notoriously place as expensive .
1. Ayam Cemani – The World’s Most Expensive Chicken?
TheAyam Cemaniis an all - black bird prized dueto a rarefied condition called fibromelanosis , which have an surfeit of sullen paint resulting in jet - black feathers , tegument , flesh , organs and bones . The black color is 10 fourth dimension the melatonin as other chicken strain . castrated eggs can be purchased for $ 45 with a minimum of 12 . Juveniles ( 6 - 12 weeks ) $ 800 and adults are sell for $ 1,200-$3,000 . With a nickname , “ The Lamborghini Chicken , ” you sleep with it ’s go to be expensive .
2. Kadaknath – India’s Contribution to the Most Expensive Chicken Breeds
These chickens are often fox with Ayam Cemanis because of the bootleg feathers from read/write head to toe . However , Kadaknath ’s ( $ 2500 ) have a varying pigment of black . They also differ in size , disposition , testis production and nub product . Many are green black , but the breed also incorporate penciled and favorable .
3. Dong Tao – The Dragon Chicken
This strain is rare and hard to find . The demand seldom matches the need . Dong Tao ’s ( $ 2,000 ) are prized for their easily recognise big legs and feet , which is easy to see why multitude call them the “ Dragon Chicken . ”
4. Deathlayer – A Prolific Layer
Moving from the thou price range to the hundreds , Deathlayers ( $ 250 ) are the leaders for being the most expensive chicken breeds . This dramatic name come from their ability to dwell eggs until their dying mean solar day . Also look for for their striking appearing they bewitch with their black babydoll eye , beautiful feathers and can be silver or gold varieties .
5. Liege Fighter ($150) – A Muscular Marvel
liegeman fighters are a large and muscular Belgian gamecock breed of chicken that was originally bred in the 19th 100 for fighting . They were breed to be powerful enough to overwhelm other fighting breeds and to fight back using natural branch line instead of taper metal solecism . Nowadays they are a great quite a little defender and more often than not friendly with their owner .
6. Ölandsk Dwarf ($100) – A Swedish Gem
Olandsk Dwarf chicken are true dwarf chickens . This means that they are not aminiature versionof a full - size strain as you have with Bantam strain . They are a landrace breed of crybaby which are typically known to be stout , disease - immune and adaptable to changes . They are lightweight and display a beautiful combining of reddened , opprobrious , grey , browned and bloodless multicolored feathers .
7. Swedish Black ($100) – A Fibromelanistic Fowl
The clone version of the Ayam Cemani might just be the Swedish Black moving this lower on the list of the most expensive chicken breed . All physical features of the bird are calamitous , although there can be a purple / greenish tincture spotted in the sun . They are smaller and more cold - hardy than the Ayam Cemani . Despite the difference , it is still a fascinating and expensive bird .
8. Orust ($100) – A Spotted Scandinavian in the Most Expensive Chicken Breeds
Very heavily to rule , Orusts are beautifully spotted bloodless and black from their caput to feet . This beauty combined with their docile and easy - to - handle nature wee-wee them extremely sought after .
9. Pavlovskaya ($86) – Russia’s Feathered Rarity Among the Most Expensive Chicken Breeds
If crests are a trait you like , these birds will be sure to interest you . They have a beautiful crest and lacing - corresponding markings . They are very cold - kind ( being from Russia ) . They have a great history where they have been bring back from extinction , which is something many partizan enjoy participate in preserving . They lay very few ballock a year , work them more valuable .
10. Serama ($77) – The World’s Smallest Yet One of the Most Expensive Chicken Breeds
come in last on the listing of most expensive chicken breeds , Seramasare the smallest Gallus gallus in the world . A full - grow rooster is about the size of a pigeon . They are favorable and can be trained . They handle heat highly well , as they are tropic bird . Their tiny height and huge tails make a very intriguing look . Serama chicken in the garden . Photo by Athok Fadhlin
🐔 Frequently Asked Questions About the Most Expensive Chicken Breeds
❓ What is the most expensive volaille breed in the world?The Ayam Cemani is often considered the most expensive chicken breed in the world . know for its all - black appearance — including plumage , skin , and home organs — it can sell for K of dollars due to its curio and alien appearing .
❓ Why are some chicken stock so expensive?Chicken breed become expensive due to a combining of factors : rarity , unique physical trait , cultural signification , circumscribed geographical accessibility , and breed difficulty . Some also have unique inwardness or egg timber that add to their time value .
❓ Are expensive volaille breeds hard to like for?Not necessarily , but some of the most expensive poulet breed may have specific care necessity due to their genetics , mood sensitivity , or forcible characteristics . Researching each breed ’s need is essential before adding one to your flock .
Serama chicken in the garden. Photo by Athok Fadhlin
❓ Can you buy expensive wimp breeds in the U.S.?Yes , many of the world ’s most expensive chicken breed — such as Ayam Cemani , Swedish Black , and Serama — are useable in the U.S. through speciality hatchery , breeders , or poultry expos . Import regulations and breeder report are authoritative to take .
❓ Do expensive chicken breed lay better eggs?Not always . Some expensive stock , like the Deathlayer , are known for ordered ball production , while others , like the Serama or Dong Tao , are more ornamental and grow fewer eggs . High price does n’t always intend high egg turnout .
❓ Are rare volaille breeds skilful for backyard flocks?Many rarefied and expensive breeds can be estimable for backyard mess , especially if you enjoy decorative or heritage breeds . However , their high value and sometimes modified handiness mean they may require more auspices and attention .
Serama chicken in the garden. Photo by Athok Fadhlin
Why the High Price?
Rarity , physical features and admission to these birds are among the top reasons they are price so high . If you are in the market to get down investing in these types of Gallus gallus , here are a few shopping tip from top stock breeder , Chrissy Scheulen at Paragon Ridge Ranch :
