Description
Black Sumatra Chicken
Breed Overview and Origin
The Black Sumatra chicken is a rare, elegant longtail breed with a dramatic look and an alert, active nature. If you want an ornamental chicken that stands out from common backyard layers, the Black Sumatra brings a very different kind of beauty to the flock.
Sumatras trace back to Southeast Asia, especially the island of Sumatra in Indonesia. Early birds came to the United States in the 1800s, and the breed first gained attention because of its game-bird background and striking appearance. The Black variety entered the American Poultry Association Standard of Perfection in 1883. The Livestock Conservancy notes that Sumatra chickens are small, active, alert birds, and that the Black variety was the first recognized color.
This breed is best suited for people who appreciate rare, ornamental, longtail chickens. It is not the right choice if your main goal is heavy egg production or meat. But if you want a graceful bird with glossy black feathering, a dark face, and a long flowing tail, the Black Sumatra is hard to ignore.
Appearance and Characteristics
Black Sumatras have rich black plumage with a beautiful green sheen in the sunlight. Their faces can appear dark to nearly black, which adds to their dramatic look. The long tail gives them a graceful, almost wild appearance compared with ordinary backyard breeds.
Young birds may show a few white feathers during their first and second feathering stages. That is normal. By around 6 months of age, they should mature into solid black adult plumage.
Sumatras are also athletic. Unlike many heavier breeds, they can fly well and move quickly. The Livestock Conservancy describes them as active and alert, with a strong ability to launch upward when avoiding danger. Because of that, plan your housing carefully. A secure run, covered area, or safe free-range setup will help keep them where you want them.
Black Sumatra vs Blue Sumatra
Black and Blue Sumatras belong to the same breed family, but they differ in feather color. Choose Black Sumatras if you want the original APA-recognized variety with deep black plumage and green sheen. Choose Blue Sumatras if you prefer softer blue-gray plumage.
Both varieties are rare, ornamental, and longtailed. Your choice may come down to the color you like best and what is available for your hatch date.
Longtail Breed Care
Black Sumatras belong to the longtail chicken group. That means tail care matters more than it does with most backyard breeds.
Longtail birds need clean, dry housing so their feathers stay in good condition. Muddy runs, cramped coops, and rough roosting areas can damage the tail. Cackle’s article Care and Feeding of Longtail Roosters explains that longtail chickens need special care to maintain their beauty, including attention to housing, roosts, and feather condition.
You do not have to treat them like fragile show birds if you are keeping them for backyard enjoyment. Still, they do better when you give them clean bedding, dry footing, enough space, and roosts that protect the tail instead of breaking it.
Egg Production and Utility
Black Sumatras are ornamental birds first. They can lay eggs, but they are not production layers.
Egg color is generally white to cream. The Livestock Conservancy notes that Sumatra hens may lay about 130 eggs per year and can be good sitters. That makes them more useful than some purely ornamental birds, but you should not choose them if you want a high-volume egg flock.
They also are not meat birds. Their value comes from beauty, rarity, long tails, dark features, and breed history. If your goal is eggs or meat, compare production layers or dual-purpose breeds instead.
Temperament and Suitability
Black Sumatras are active, alert, and independent. They are not the calmest or heaviest backyard breed, but they bring energy and style to a flock.
They can work well for experienced keepers, rare breed enthusiasts, ornamental flocks, and poultry hobbyists who enjoy longtail birds. Beginners can raise them too, but they should know that Sumatras need more attention to fencing, flight ability, and tail care than many common breeds.
Because of their active nature, they appreciate room to move. If you keep them confined, provide enough space and enrichment. If you let them range, remember that they can fly and may roost higher than expected. Predator protection matters with every breed, but especially with active birds that like to explore.
Is the Black Sumatra Chicken Right for Your Flock?
Choose Black Sumatras if you want:
A rare ornamental chicken
A glossy black longtail breed
A bird with a dark face and dramatic appearance
An active, alert chicken
A breed with Southeast Asian roots
A showy flock addition
A white or cream egg layer with modest production
A bird for rare breed or longtail poultry projects
Overall, this breed is a good fit if you want beauty, rarity, and motion in the flock. Black Sumatras may not be the best choice for a simple egg basket, but they are a wonderful option if you want chickens that look elegant and different from everyday barnyard breeds.
If you are still comparing breeds, the Chicken Breed Selector and Chicken Breeds List Comparison Chart can help you sort birds by purpose, size, temperament, and flock goals.
Breed History and Preservation
The Sumatra breed traces back to birds imported from Southeast Asia in the 1800s. Early American interest focused on their game-bird history, dark features, long tails, and athletic carriage.
The Black variety entered the American Standard of Perfection in 1883, making it the original recognized Sumatra color in the United States. Today, the breed also appears in other colors, including Blue.
Cackle Hatchery® has developed its pure Black Sumatra bloodline since 1979, which gives this rare breed a long place in the hatchery’s breeding program.
Recognition and Availability
The American Poultry Association recognizes the Black Sumatra, with the Black variety admitted in 1883. The breed belongs to the ornamental and exhibition side of poultry keeping more than the production side.
You can choose Black Sumatra chicks when they are available. Sumatras may also appear in certain longtail or exotic fowl assortments, depending on the offer and availability. Cackle’s Long Tail Surplus special may include longtail breeds, but that assortment is hatchery choice and does not guarantee a specific breed or color.
Before you plan your order, check the Availability Chart for current hatch and shipping options.
Related Breeds and Helpful Cackle Hatchery® Resources
If you like Black Sumatras, you may also want to compare Blue Sumatras, Phoenix chickens, Yokohamas, Cubalayas, and other longtail or ornamental breeds.
For more background, read Breed Spotlight: Lovely Longtail Chickens and Care and Feeding of Longtail Roosters. The longtail spotlight explains that Sumatras are one of the longtail breeds found in North America, while the care article gives practical guidance for maintaining long tail feather condition.
For broader flock planning, browse rare chicken breeds, baby chicks for sale, and the Chicken Breed Selector.
FAQ: Black Sumatra Chicken
What is a Black Sumatra chicken?
A Black Sumatra chicken is a rare ornamental longtail breed known for glossy black plumage, dark facial skin, athletic movement, and a long flowing tail.
Where did Black Sumatras originate?
Sumatras trace back to Southeast Asia, especially the island of Sumatra in Indonesia. Early birds came to the United States in the 1800s.
When did the APA recognize Black Sumatras?
The American Poultry Association recognized the Black Sumatra in 1883. The Black variety was the original recognized Sumatra color.
Are Black Sumatras good egg layers?
They lay some eggs, but they are not production layers. Expect modest white to cream egg production rather than a heavy egg basket.
What color eggs do Black Sumatras lay?
They generally lay white to cream-colored eggs.
Are Black Sumatras good for meat?
No. They are best kept as ornamental, rare, or exhibition birds rather than meat chickens.
Are Black Sumatras friendly?
They are active and alert. Some can become manageable with steady handling, but they are usually more independent than calm dual-purpose breeds.
Are Black Sumatras good for beginners?
They can work for beginners who understand their needs, but they are better for keepers who want rare ornamental birds and can manage flight ability, fencing, and longtail care.
Can Black Sumatras fly?
Yes. Sumatras are athletic and can fly better than many common chicken breeds. A secure setup helps keep them safe and contained.
Why do young Black Sumatras have white feathers?
Some young birds may show white feathers during their first and second feathering stages. By about 6 months, they should mature into solid black adult plumage.
Do Black Sumatras have long tails?
Yes. Black Sumatras are longtail chickens. Their tails help give the breed its graceful, ornamental look.
Do longtail chickens need special care?
Yes. Clean, dry housing and good roost design help protect long tail feathers from mud, breakage, and wear. Cackle’s Care and Feeding of Longtail Roosters article gives helpful tips.
What is the difference between Black Sumatra and Blue Sumatra?
Black Sumatras have glossy black plumage with a green sheen. Blue Sumatras have blue-gray plumage. Both belong to the same rare longtail breed family.
Are Black Sumatras rare?
Yes. They are much less common than standard backyard layers and are usually kept for ornamental, rare breed, or exhibition interest.
Where can I check chick availability?
Check the Availability Chart for current hatch and shipping options.
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.