Ayam Cemani Starter Pullets

Originating in Indonesia, Ayam Cemani chickens stand out for their striking all-black features. From feathers to organs, even down to their bones, these birds are a marvel to behold. It's no wonder they are often referred to as "The Lamborghini of Poultry.

In Indonesia, the Ayam Cemani is celebrated not only for its captivating appearance but also for the mystical healing powers attributed to its black hyper-pigmentation. As a melanistic breed, these birds boast an abundance of melanin, resulting in their striking black feathers that shimmer with a beetle-green sheen when touched by sunlight. Despite their dark exterior, Ayam Cemani eggs surprise with their non-black hue, adding an element of intrigue to their mystique.

These birds are not just visually stunning; they also bring a touch of intelligence and sociability to any farm. While generally friendly, Ayam Cemani can assert themselves within the flock hierarchy. Their sociable nature often leads them to seek interaction with their human caretakers, whether it's for attention, treats, or companionship.

Ayam Cemani hens are known for their exceptional mothering instincts, exhibiting broody behavior and attentiveness to eggs with dedication, whether they're their own or others'. Their adaptability extends beyond their social nature; they are also well-suited to thrive in various temperature conditions, particularly warmer climates. However, in colder environments, protecting their combs and wattles, along with providing supplemental heat during winter, ensures their comfort and well-being.

At our farm, Ayam Cemani demonstrate not only resilience to Vermont's climate but also versatility and adaptability to different temperature ranges. Their dark coloring not only adds to their allure but also aids in predator evasion, highlighting their intelligence and quick nature. These hardy and versatile birds are a valuable addition to any farm setting.

Our Breeding

Our Ayam Cemani stock comes from years of selective breeding. Our aim is to produce birds that adhere to the Ayam Cemani Breeders Association's proposed standard of perfection, with straight combs, high fibro showing, and a gamier appearance. However, imperfections can occur, which is common due to past breeding practices.

All our Ayam Cemani are purebred, although some may exhibit traits from their Ayam Kedu ancestry. We cannot guarantee perfect birds, as breeding Ayam Cemani is complex and unpredictable. It's important to understand that not all offspring will be solid black, and some may have "flaws" in their pigmentation. We prioritize transparency and honesty in our breeding program, striving to perfect our flock according to the working Standard. While challenges may arise, we remain dedicated to the breed and encourage thorough research for those interested in hatching eggs or acquiring birds.

These birds are intelligent and are eager to train. They enjoy human interaction and the hens can be boisterous when laying! When incubating hatching eggs and in the lockdown mode they tend to hatch better with slightly less humidity.

The Ayam Cemani is a rare chicken breed from Java in Indonesia. The word Ayam means chicken in Indonesian, while Cemani has two possible translations: it either means entirely black, or it comes from a place called Cemani in Java.

The history of the Ayam Cemani is very unclear, and there are several versions on how they came to be. Some versions are a little scientific and some are hereditary stories, and each who believes in it has his own belief in the truth. One version from Kalikuto Village, Grabag Subdistrict, Magelang Regency, named Tjokromihardjo. Figure Tjokromihardjo, devotes a lot of his attention in the field of livestock in addition to serving as the village head. It was reported by Sunday Morning magazine that Mr. Tjokro’s knowledge in the field of animal husbandry was obtained from a course held by Dr. Douwes Dekker in 1919, in Bandung, and his correspondence with a Peruvian from Colorado, Mr. Schelter. Based on information from Mr. Tjokro’s son, Mr. Bambang Irawan it is said that chicken kedu was obtained through the perseverance of Mr. Tjokro in crossing and making selection continuously. It is alleged that in 1835, black chickens were exported to the United States. The chicken was then developed with a good breeding program, it was able to show superior production and be used as a standard breed known as The Black Java Breed. We have seen several dates on when the Ayam Cemani came to the United States, so we really are not sure what is accurate.

We recommend starting baby chicks with Sugar Feather Farm Chick & Waterfowl Starter for the first 3 weeks. After that, switch to our Chicken & Waterfowl Grower feed until they reach maturation (when they begin to lay eggs). At this point, transition to Sugar Feather Farm Mixed Flock Layer feed.

Additionally, we highly recommend adding Oil of Oregano to their water daily as a supplement to aid with digestion and overall health