Description
Black Sumatra Chicken
Breed History and Origin
The Sumatra chicken originated in Southeast Asia on the Island of Sumatra and was originally bred as a fighting chicken. Over time the breed became valued for its striking appearance and ornamental qualities, especially its long flowing tail feathers and glossy black plumage. The Black Sumatra was admitted to the American Standard of Perfection in 1883 and is recognized within the Oriental Class of poultry breeds. Cackle Hatchery® offers multiple varieties of Sumatra chickens, including the Black Sumatra, and has been developing its bloodline of pure Black Sumatra chickens since 1979.
Conservation and Heritage Status
The Black Sumatra is considered a threatened heritage chicken breed, and maintaining breeding programs helps preserve this historic Asian poultry bloodline for future generations. Conservation breeding programs such as those maintained by Cackle Hatchery® play an important role in sustaining this unique ornamental breed.
Appearance and Breed Characteristics
Black Sumatra chickens are well known for their dramatic appearance. They feature glossy black plumage with a distinctive green sheen, dark facial skin, and long flowing tails that give the breed its elegant look. Mature hens typically weigh about 4 pounds, while roosters average around 5 pounds. Pullets usually weigh about 3½ pounds and cockerels about 4 pounds. This breed’s graceful posture and long tail feathers make them particularly popular among poultry enthusiasts and exhibition flocks.
Egg Production and Performance
Black Sumatra hens lay small white eggs and egg production is generally considered fair compared to production breeds. Because of their ornamental and exhibition value, the breed is more often kept for its appearance than for egg production.
Temperament and Flock Suitability
Sumatra chickens are active birds and are well suited for environments where they have room to move and explore. They prefer higher roosting areas, often choosing roost heights four feet or higher when available. Fertility percentages generally range between 40–55%, with a recommended mating ratio of nine females to one male. Hens may display broodiness and are considered setters.
Newbie Notes and Feather Development
Young Sumatra chicks may show some white feathers during their first and second stage feathering, which is normal for this breed. By approximately six months of age, they typically develop the solid black plumage that the breed is known for.
Learn More About Longtail Breeds
To learn more about longtail chicken breeds like the Sumatra, see our blog:
Breed Spotlight: Lovely Longtail Chickens
https://www.cacklehatchery.com/blog/lovely-longtail-chickens/
Care and Feeding of Longtail Roosters
https://www.cacklehatchery.com/blog/care-and-feeding-of-longtail-roosters/
Black Sumatra Chicken FAQs
What color eggs do Black Sumatra chickens lay? Black Sumatra hens lay small white eggs.
Are Sumatra chickens good egg layers? Egg production is considered fair, as the breed is primarily valued for ornamental and exhibition purposes.
Why do Sumatra chickens have such long tails? The breed was historically developed in Southeast Asia where long flowing tail feathers were prized for appearance and exhibition.
Are Sumatra chickens good for backyard flocks? Yes, they can be kept in backyard flocks, especially when given space to move and higher roosting areas.
Are Black Sumatra chickens rare?
Yes. The Black Sumatra is considered a threatened heritage chicken breed and is maintained through conservation breeding programs.
Availability
Available Low Availability Unavailable
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Crazy Chicken Girl –
Got 3 back in August. All are alive and thriving. Got 1 male, named Judah, and 2 females, named Judy and Jacey. 1-2, just the way I hoped it would be. Judah is learning to crow and Jacey and Judy love to explore. All three are brilliant fliers, as I have read. Can’t wait to breed and show them! Thanks, Cackle!
craaazyhorse –
I have had chickens most of my life. Out all the chickens I have had I love Black Sumatra’s the most.
These chickens are very friendly and they are excellent fliers. They also live the longest of any breed I have had.
I free range my chickens during daylight hours. Sumatra’s ability to fly reduces risk by predators.
They can easily fly to a roof or tree to escape harm. I have lost other breeds to coyotes, but have never lost a Black Sumatra.
I don’t eat my chickens, they are all pets and get to live long healthy lives.
The hens are great pets long after they quit laying. Eggs are a nice bonus, but I have them not for eggs but for great pets.
My last Sumatra died a couple years ago.
This time I ordered 18 Black Sumatra’s from Cackle Hatchery. They hatched on July 9th 2025, I received them the next day.
Instead of 18 there were 20. They arrived in healthy condition. I have ordered chickens from other sources and I always expect
a few to arrive dead or die shortly after I receive them.
Cackle Hatchery is and excellent company. I ordered
them months prior, and the whole process was simple.
I will always buy from Cackle Hatchery and will recommend them to others.
Thanks Cackle H. for your great service! I will enjoy these birds for years to come.
E. Davis
daitoshi12 –
I ordered 4 straight-run Black Sumatra chicks back in May 2025, it’s now nearly November 2025.
All of them are healthy adults. 1 rooster and 3 hens.
They really are gorgeous birds. Oil-spill iridescent purple and green EVERYWHERE. One hen has bright gold eyes, while the others have brown eyes.
While they’re not cuddly lap chickens, the cockerel and one of the hens have learned to fly up to perch on my arm like a hawk, for special treats. They are terribly clever, treat-motivated but cautious, always curious and watching for danger.
Excellent fliers – all of them shot up to perch in a tree when the neighbor’s dog got loose.
All in all, I’m very happy with my purchase.
daitoshi12 –
The chicks arrived in Texas healthy and lively! The black Sumatra chicks were the first to eat and drink, and watered themselves immediately after being introduced to the concept.
They also found food and started eating while the other chicks were still figuring out water.
Tolerated being handled much calmer than the other chicks as well.
Observant, Clever, and energetic.
No health problems in my batch. Packaged well, arrived right when predicted.
hrymar –
Received 3 Roos in an order and despite being a game bird the Roos are all very docile. I am happy with them, they are friendly, healthy and sturdy birds.
Tami –
Love our babies
Our black Sumatras hatched 5/18/20. Received 5/20/20. Ordered 4 received 5. Sadly 2didnt make it very long but the others are doing amazing. They will eat out of my hand and run towards me when I walk into their room. Can not wait for them to grow into the beautiful birds I know they will be. We were so happy I ordered the last suprise box of the year. Have recommended your site to several people and will definitely order more.
Kayla –
Sumatra chicks
These are actually very friendly chicks considering they are game chickens. They all arrived healthy and very lively. We will definitely be ordering again from crackle hatchery. These are my favorite by far! Thank you!
Doug –
9 months old, going strong
I needed a few extra birds to round up my order. I bought these on a whim; understanding they are not the best layers, because of their coloration.
Ordered 3, one was a roo. At first they were extremely skittish, they have since calmed down. I have a mixed flock of 30 birds who free range over 3 acres. The only issue I have is my other rooster is substantially bigger than the female sumatras. I was worried about mating due to the size difference, however the girls seem to be holding their own. I live in the northeast of PA, they have managed the cold temperatures well, I do not heat the coop.
Zero issues with them returning to the coop at night.
When the sun hits their feathers, they are stunning birds!
No Name –
Great service
This order came very quickly. I only lost a few after arrival, which is to be expected. I wasn’t very pleased with these chickens. Unfortunately, a cougar in my area decide does to have some sport and killed all of my chickens. I will be ordering from cackle hatchery again!
LMask –
Great Chickens
I received 4 Sumatra’s in my mix that I bought. All were healthy and were great to raise. Have all 4 still love to watch them. Will get more when it’s time.
Wolfee –
Superb Birds
Were a little leery of the breeds historical hype, but we are very experienced/knowledgeable bird nerds & thought we could handle seeing for ourselves- The hype was nonsense, MY GOODNESS. Wonderful experience- we got several of this breed in our order, got 1 rooster (which is perfect & usually doesn’t statistically happen), as a poult he began to grow so strikingly beautiful & his ‘crow’ call so uniquely different from our spitzhaubens & polish. We were expecting his feathers to be all black with the green iridescence in most peoples pictures, he ended up growing two super bright red feather markings on his back above his flanks- they look like some type of beast slashed him with a clawed hand (we of course made absolute certain he wasn’t injured multiple times, the unique feathers look like a realistic theater makeup job of stereotypical image of a claw slash marks).. If you asked a little boy to draw the coolest looking rooster he could think of, this bird would be the imaginative drawing. He looks so stealthy & regal, like an all-black sports car with detailing that flashes bright shines of green in the blackness, like beetle wings. They all make noises sometimes which sound like you would hear coming from a loon on a lake somewhere up north or a native flute, whereas other chickens make mainly various clucks. The sumatras we got, personality-wise, are not overtly cuddly like a puppy but they behave well, were raised appropriately so they handle as good as any other chicken, you should give them the most amount of space that you can offer them in your shelter structure, run, &/or enclosure. (as for any bird- do not crowd, but that’s especially important for the more intelligent/natural breeds like Sumatras). Their beaks & talons being darker colored do not make it any harder to trim for anyone experienced in bird well-being maintenance. We tell some of our Sumatra hens apart by subtle color differences on their feet & claws, some hens have bright yellow markings on their palms, or a couple certain light colored claws among otherwise dark ones. Overall highly satisfied with our order.
Beautiful Roo and 2 Hens –
Absolutely love my Black Sumatra’s
All my chicks arrived perfect in their little cozy shopping container. I love them all but these Sumatra’s are my favorite! My Roo is a great addition to my 15 hens, he is a good protector and has the most beautiful crow! The hens lay small white eggs about every other day but are just gorgeous to look at. They have hues of purple and green and look like black silk. I’m very happy I chose this breed as an addition to my flock.
Shellie –
Nice birds
Bought some black and splash Sumatras after receiving a blue in each of the 2 Surprise Boxes we got this year (2019). Nice birds! Friendly and beautiful. As straight runs, we recieved real close to 50% in pullets.
Wendy –
I love these birds! Unique and gorgeous
I love these birds! These are beautiful birds. I ordered 5, ended up with 4 hens and a roo. Perfect. They are mellow
Shelia –
Happy healthy babies!
Super shiny and healthy!
Licorice is their named lol –
Black sumatras
I have had these chickens in the past
They are gorgeous with the black feathers and the blues, greens and purple hues in the sunlight.
They are quiet, small and really are interesting because they really dont.look like a chicken
MCP –
My Favorite Fowl
Ordered around 10. All made it safely and healthy. This is my favorite chicken and they always have spunk and personality. Not the best egg layer but I do not order them for that. They are a great addition to my flock and I always try to keep them around.
I have ordered them from McMurray and Cackle but Cackle did a better job ensuring they were sent healthy.
chiquitita230 –
Gorgeous but ALL ROOS
Ordered 5, knowing these were straight run, but every single bird was a roo! I was hoping for at least 1 hen. Gorgeous roos, but way too many for a “luck of the draw” order. Beware if you don’t want roos.
Glen –
Excellent birds!
I ordered 25 Chuck’s and they all lived, usually a person will loose a few weak chicks. Some have some white feathers don’t worry they will all molt out black. As youngsters they are very wild, but they really mellow out nice. Mine well follow me back to the coop after free ranging and some will even eat out of my hand. These birds once mature are black with brilliant green sheen. They are not black like a crow. They have a nice typical crow, and are good foragers. Not great egg layers but these are awesome birds. Mature roosters will get a somewhat red rose combe but it is small. Sub adult hen and rooster can be hard to tell apart. Look at feather length over the saddle and nape of neck.
✦✦✦✦✦✦✦ –
AMAZING!!!
I LOVE CHICKENS
Heather F –
Unfortunate start, great ending
I ordered 3 black Sumatra and 3 white Yokohama chicks. When they arrived, the post office called me at 6 am, I picked them up at 6:30. When I got them home to the brooder, I found they hadn’t all made it. I lost another the next day. I contacted the company and was offered a refund or replacement with additional order to meet the minimum order. I ended up getting blue Sumatra and more Yokohama since the black were backordered a few weeks. I now have two healthy flocks and I’m working on their coop and run when they’re ready to see the real world. This company really came through. The shipping gets costly, but how they package to keep the little ones safe must get costly.
Hi –
Wow!
Wow! My chicks just arrived. They are really pretty, and in great condition. The packaging was shocking it was so well! They were also really sweet, they ate out of my hand and were drinking within 15 minutes. They of corse were really sleepy at the end of rhe day. I really do recommend this program, you will not be let down.
Jessica –
Beautiful chicks
I am very happy with the look and condition of our Sumatra chicks we received from Cackle Hatchery today. They came when they were supposed to, in a clean box and peeping chicks. All are bright and appear to be healthy as well as eating and drinking. Thank you!!
Carrie New York May 2010 –
Attn:Libby
I wanted to let you know that our chicks arrived!! I was very impressed with the packaging and service from your company. Right now they are all doing well and we are the most excited.
Michael New York May 2011 –
Hello
I am letting you know I received my chicks today. They were all healthy and are eating, drinking and sleeping. Thank You Very Much.