Most backyard chicken keepers are used to paying a few dollars for a chick, but some rare chicken breeds can cost hundreds or even thousands of dollars. From unusual black chickens to enormous roosters and tiny ornamental birds, certain breeds come with a surprisingly hefty price tag.
So, what makes these chickens expensive breeds? In some cases, it’s their extreme rarity, while others are prized for their distinctive look, unusual genetics, or long history of selective breeding. High demand and limited availability can also push prices well beyond what most people would expect to pay for poultry.
If you’re interested in adding exotic chicken breeds to your flock, here are 10 of the world’s most expensive chicken breeds farmers love and what makes them so special.
Note: Prices are approximate upper-end asking prices sometimes associated with exceptional breeding or show-quality birds, particularly roosters. They’re not typical market prices, and actual costs vary considerably depending on age, bloodline, location, and availability. Chicks and fertile eggs are generally more affordable.
1. Ayam Cemani
- Price: Up to $2,500
- Country of Origin: Indonesia
- Used for: Ornamental, spiritual, and meat
The Ayam Cemani is famous for its striking, jet-black coloring – every part of this chicken is black, including the black feathers, skin, bones, and even internal organs. This highly unusual coloring is a result of a naturally occurring genetic mutation called fibromelanosis, which produces an excess of dark pigment throughout much of its body.
Sometimes nicknamed the “Lamborghini chicken,” the Ayam Cemani has become popular among poultry collectors because of its distinctive look and limited availability. Its unusual coloring, cultural significance in Indonesia, and high demand for quality breeding stock help explain why some birds command such expensive prices.
2. Ayam Ketawa
- Price: Up to $2,000
- Country of Origin: Indonesia
- Used for: Ornamental and cock crowing contests
The Ayam Ketawa, also known as the Laughing Chicken, is another unusual breed from Indonesia. What makes this chicken so special isn’t its appearance but its distinctive crow, which sounds remarkably similar to human laughter.
These birds have a long history in South Sulawesi, where they were traditionally associated with nobility and are still valued for their unusual vocal abilities. Roosters with particularly impressive crowing patterns can attract considerable attention in competitions, and exceptional birds may sell for much more than ordinary backyard chickens.
Fun fact: Contests for long-crowing chickens like the Ayam Ketawa are often held in Indonesia, with a national award for superior crowing awarded to the best rooster!
3. Sulmtaler
- Price: Up to $300
- Country of Origin: Austria
- Used for: Meat and eggs
Sulmtaler chickens are considered a gourmet meat bird in Austria, but they also produce a steady supply of tasty eggs and are easy to rear. The name originates from the remote Sulm valley in Austria, where a few small breeders protected the Sulmtaler from extinction during the First and Second World Wars.
The breed nearly disappeared during the twentieth century, but dedicated breeders helped preserve it. Its limited numbers, attractive appearance, and reputation as a quality table bird make it an interesting choice for those looking for something different from more common backyard breeds.
4. Bresse
- Price: Up to $1,000
- Country of Origin: France
- Used for: Meat
The famous French Bresse chicken is highly regarded for its exceptional meat quality, considered by some chefs to be the finest in the world. This delicacy is so highly sought after that Bresse chickens have a protected designation of origin (PDO) status to protect the heritage and quality of this traditional French product.
Authentic Poulet de Bresse is produced in a specific region of France under strict requirements governing how the chickens are raised and fed.
This protected designation, combined with the breed’s culinary reputation, helps explain its premium price, although ordinary Bresse breeding stock outside France should not be confused with the protected French product.
5. Dong Tao (Dragon Chicken)
- Price: Up to $2,000
- Country of Origin: Vietnam
- Used for: Meat
Dong Tao chickens, has a nickname of Dragon Chicken, have unusually large, thick legs that can reach the size of a human wrist and weigh over 2 pounds each. They are considered a delicacy in Vietnam, where their legs are often served during the Lunar New Year festivities.
This sought-after chicken breed is not suitable for most backyard chicken keepers – it has specific dietary needs, is sensitive to extreme temperatures, and can be very labor-intensive to rear. Their bulky legs also make laying and hatching eggs difficult, adding to their rarity and price.
Their rarity, slow growth, and breeding challenges contribute to their high price, while their sensitivity to extreme temperatures can make them difficult to raise in certain climates.
6. Serama
- Price: Up to $2,000
- Country of Origin: Malaysia
- Used for: Ornamental and pets
How adorable are these tiny chickens! Serama chickens are the smallest chicken breed in the world, with some weighing less than a pound. Their miniature stature and unique look make them highly sought after by collectors.
If you prefer small chickens, the Serama might be one of the most interesting breeds on this list. Originating in Malaysia, some adults weigh less than a pound.
A full-size Serama rooster is the same size as a pigeon, and they are often kept as indoor pets or ornamental birds due to their small size. But don’t be fooled by their diminutive size – Seramas are bold, confident, and a whole lot of fun!
7. Kadaknath
- Price: Up to $1,000
- Country of Origin: India
- Used for: Meat and medicinal purposes
The meat of Kadaknath chickens is prized for its health benefits and is also used in traditional Indian medicine. These jet-black chickens have a slow growth rate, and their delicious meat boasts high levels of protein and a low fat and cholesterol content. These hardy birds are becoming more popular in areas prone to adverse weather due to their resilience and adaptability.
Native to India, Kadaknath chickens are particularly valued for their meat, which has traditionally been associated with nutritional and medicinal benefits. Their relatively slow growth, distinctive black color and appearance, and increasing popularity have contributed to demand, especially among breeders interested in uncommon poultry.
8. Orpington (Lavender or Jubilee)
- Price: Up to $700
- Country of Origin: United Kingdom
- Used for: Eggs and ornamental
While Orpington chickens may be a common sight on many homesteads, the rare
Orpington chickens are familiar to many backyard chicken keepers, but some color varieties are harder to find than others. Originally developed in England, the breed is known for its large, fluffy appearance, calm temperament, and usefulness as a dual-purpose chicken.
Lavender Orpingtons have soft grayish-purple feathers, while Jubilee Orpingtons are recognized for their attractive patterned coloring. Although ordinary Orpingtons are generally affordable, carefully bred birds with desirable coloring and strong bloodlines can carry a higher price tag, particularly when demand exceeds the number available from breeders.
9. Swedish Black Hen (Svart Hona)
- Price: Up to $1,500
- Country of Origin: Sweden
- Used for: Ornamental
The ornamental Swedish Black Hen is a distant cousin of the Ayam Cemani and boasts the same striking black coloring. Thanks to their Swedish origins, these hardy birds cope well with cold weather but are not the best choice for egg or meat production.
The Swedish Black Hen, also called Svart Hona or Swedish Black Chicken, is often compared with the Ayam Cemani because of its striking black appearance. It also carries the fibromelanosis trait, giving it dark feathers, skin, and other heavily pigmented features.
Unlike the Indonesian Ayam Cemani, the Swedish Black Hen developed in a cold climate and is known for its ability to tolerate colder weather when properly housed. Its extreme rarity, especially outside Sweden, and the relatively small number of dedicated breeders help explain the high price of the Swedish Black Chicken breeding stock.
10. Liege Fighter
- Price: Up to $1,500
- Country of Origin: Belgium
- Used for: Originally bred for cockfighting, now ornamental
Liege Fighters were originally bred as fighting birds in Belgium, but luckily, they are more likely to be kept as ornamental birds these days. They are often nicknamed the ‘Hawk Buster’ because their large size makes them highly resilient against aerial predators.
These birds are known for their impressive height, muscular build, and long, sturdy legs, especially in mature roosters.
An adult Liege Fighter rooster can weigh up to 12 pounds and stand around 30 inches tall; that’s taller than a Beagle or Cocker Spaniel! This expensive chicken breed is quite rare outside of Europe, although suppliers of hatching eggs are becoming more widespread.
Other Posts You Might Like
- 12 Exotic Chicken Breeds That Bring Variety to Your Flock
- ISA Brown Chicken Breed: The Ultimate Guide
- Rhode Island Red Chicken Breed – A Comprehensive Guide
- A Complete Guide to Plymouth Barred Rock Chicken Breed
- A Guide to Bantam Chicken Breeds
Kate Chalmers
Kate is a passionate gardener who has a keen interest in all things related to homesteading and sustainability. She resides in Portugal with her husband and menagerie of animals and has over 15 years of experience in the UK veterinary industry. In 2020, Kate and her husband took on a dilapidated Portuguese house and abandoned olive grove, turning it into an abundant food forest and home for nature.
Life on the homestead is never the same from one day to the next, and Kate has mastered many skills that she is keen to pass on to anyone with an interest in becoming more self-sufficient. Kate believes that living a sustainable lifestyle is the key to happiness and fulfillment and that everyone can make simple changes that connect us back to nature and reduce our impact on the planet.
