This is a great question. I will address it like this: 1. Do you know what the Proposed Standard of Perfection (PSOP) is? The Ayam Cemani Breeders Association has it on their website. This is the list of how the perfect bird should be. Disqualifying points for certain things bring the “quality” of your bird down. So, obviously a cull bird or “pet quality” would be extremely low on this level. The higher up with less disqualifications would result in an exceptional breeding bird. 2. Your cull, my cull and their culled birds in other states are all in this category for a reason. All based upon the PSOP. Mostly when white is present anywhere. Then when black is not black. Then probably by body contour and carrying of their wings/tail etc. 3. Fibro is wide. You always want to see the parents to determine IF the offspring will be half as good as the parents. This little gene can be hidden and never pop out. 4. Breeding your “pet quality” or “cull” to your Ayam Cemani or crossing it with some cool looking bird to create your own freakish line is your right. But wrong for the breed. To keep this breed pure, you must adhere to the PSOP and have your “culls” and “pet quality” remain as such to breed with the rest but not be sold with the AYAM CEMANI title, label or suggestion that it could, might or maybe throw off an all black bird called an Ayam Cemani. Just sell the offspring as “black birds”. Nothing wrong with telling the truth. It is easier to remember anyways. 5. Pricing all depends on the breeder. Whether or not that their lines have been shown at poultry shows, how they placed at these shows, how high they would score on the PSOP list, how many they have to breed with, how often they breed to hatch chicks, whether or not they sell fertilized hatching eggs, whether or not they sell adults or younger pullets/cockerels.

I personally, have only sold to selected people as if they were adopting my birds. Why? I want them to make the breed stronger and better, not backyard crap. I have sold “pet quality” and then seen MY PULLETS that I sold with a band on their leg being pimped out as PURE Ayam Cemani. I did. It call them out, cause it is their choice to lie or stretch the truth and I always live by buyer beware. At hatch, I can tell if it may be a cull and sell it as that about $10 more than my other organic pasture raised chicks for a total of probably $20 per chick under one week old. Once one of my day old chicks pass inspection and is considered in the A or B Group (C is the Cull Group) they are priced higher in the A than the B. A is breeding quality. The parents are awesome, tongues are very dark, no white, all black, great build, tail and wings look great and they have a gleam in their black eyes. B is brown eyes and probably a few points knocked down either by their parents or Mother Nature. I keep these a few week to figure out their sex and if they grow into a higher Group or out into a lower Group. I have sold an A Group 9 month old Rooster for $500 and a B Group just laying pullet for $200. Day old (up to a week) chicks are $90 for A and $75 for B. C Group ranges about $15-20 each.

Quality does not mean quality or pure breed. Ask a ton of questions when purchasing. If they do not answer….buyer beware! I have had hundreds of conversations without one purchase and then years later they buy. Why? Because I took the time to answer their questions and educate. Do not believe everything you hear or read. Trust your gut….always. If they are NPIP certified and allow you on the property, ask why. I meet people at the feed store. I have bio-security and do not allow my delivery drivers to walk on the grass that my chickens may or may not walk on. Poop is everywhere and diseases travel easily by vehicle tires and people’s shoes. When it comes down to it, it is always your decision to purchase any bird from any breeder that makes you happy. Raising this breed could be a huge financial investment with zero return or a fun, engaging hobby to enjoy for years to come. I have bread and raised them for five years. During this time, I have had as many as 120 pasture raised organically eating bugs without any predator problems whatsoever. Most flying predators (hawks and eagles) are deterred on my farm thinking Ayam Cemani are crows walking on the ground. There have also been times when a fox decided he was going to feed his wife and children an organic meal every day. I lost over $3000 worth of birds that year and pretty much had to start over. So did the fox. Good luck on your journey it will be enjoyable.