Would You Eat A Black Chicken? See These Naturally Black Chickens

Did you know there was such a thing as black chicken? Not dark feathered chicken but black in and out with dark skin, bones and internal organs.

The Chinese Silkie chicken is one of such. Silkies are beautiful birds, covered in fluffy plumage, which is said to feel like silk, but underneath all that fluff they are far less attractive.

The silkie chicken is naturally black skinned and black boned, the flesh is dark beige and some internal organs are pitch black. It is naturally high in antioxidants called anthocyanins, particularly carnosine. Silkie chicken has a positive effect on the Kidney, Liver, and Spleen merdians. It also good for Yin and Blood. For this reason it is often used for seniors, fatigued women with menstrual irregularities, and convalescing patients. They are also consumed by Chinese women who have just given birth to get a boost of energy.

 Another interesting thing about silkies is their high content of carnosine, a naturally occurring peptide which is sold as a dietary supplement. People take it to increase muscle mass, ward of the effects of aging and alleviate diseases like diabetes or autism. Studies have shown the black chicken is one of the richest sources of carnosine.In the Western world, silkie chickens are sold mainly for ornamental purposes, but in countries like China they are considered a super food and are appreciated for their deep, gammy flavor. Called “wu gu ji” or “black-boned chicken”, the silkie has been prized for its medicinal value ever since the seventh or eighth century.