An unusual chicken, dubbed the 'Lamborghini of poultry', has become the latest must-have luxury item.

Named Ayam Cemani, this gothic bird is black from its comb to its claws, including its muscles, bones and internal organs.

Due to avian flu concerns, these birds are a rarity in many countries outside of Indonesia – however one breeder is now cashing in on their fame.

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An unusual chicken, dubbed the 'Lamborghini of poultry', has become the latest must-have luxury item

In an in-depth report, Nautilus describes how one of the most reputable Cemani breeders, Greenfire Farms, is selling the birds for a huge profit.

A one day-old chick of unknown sex can be sold by the Florida-based company for around $200 (£130). On the black market, these birds can go for thousands of dollars.

For comparison, you can get 15 ordinary chicks sent to you for about $85 (£42.50). Other special usually sell at a dozen for $150 (£97).

They are coveted by collectors because Ayam Cemani are rare and exotic. They are also traditionally eaten in Indonesia as part of various rituals.

Named Ayam Cemani, this gothic bird is black from its comb to its claws, including its muscles, bones and internal organs

Due to avian flu concerns, these birds are a rarity in many countries outside of Indonesia – however one breeder is now cashing in on their fame

Greenfire Farms says the 'friendly' chickens are renowned in Asia 'for the mystical powers of their black meat.'

In the region, it is believed that the blackness of the Cemani makes it an ideal bridge between the human and the supernatural world.

WHY ARE AYAM CEMANI BLACK? The cause of the chicken's internal blackness is a genetic condition known as fibromelanosis which is caused by a mutation that affects how pigment-producing cells work. Several years ago, Leif Andersson, a Swedish geneticist at Uppsala found a gene called endothelian-3 (EDN3), which they discovered to be involved in the regulation of melanocyte cells which produce pigments. They found around 10 times as much EDN3 was expressed in the skin of adult black chickens than in other breeds. Advertisement

The cause of the chicken's blackness is a genetic condition known as fibromelanosis which is caused by a mutation that affects how pigment-producing cells work.

In ordinary chickens, the cells that will be formed into melanin-producing melanocytes moving through embryo in a certain pattern.

In Ayam Cemani, the cells invade tissue that will late turn into fibers, such as muscle and organs, in the body, caused the dark colour.

Several years ago, Leif Andersson, a Swedish geneticist at Uppsala found a gene called endothelian-3 (EDN3), which they discovered to be involved in the regulation of melanocyte cells which produce pigments.

They found around 10 times as much EDN3 was expressed in the skin of adult black chickens than in other breeds.

Despite the steep price, Paul Bradshaw, who owns Greenfire Farms, claims that the Ayam Cemani is his most requested bird ever.

'You never know what's going to galvanise the imagination of the public,' Bradshaw told Nautilus. He estimates that he's sold about 500 Cemanis in the past few years.