Rare Poultry - Heritage Breeds - Rainbow Eggs
THE URBAN LADYBUG FARM Poultry Breeding Program
Breeding for SOP and Rainbow Egg-Color Genetics since 2020 on our regenerative solar powered micro-farm in Copperopolis, California
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At The Urban Ladybug Farm, our poultry breeding program is built around one simple philosophy: preserve exceptional birds, improve each generation, and share rare genetics with other poultry enthusiasts.
Since 2020, we have carefully selected and bred chickens that are not only beautiful and productive but also represent some of the most unique and sought-after bloodlines in the poultry world. We focus heavily on health, temperament, egg quality, breed characteristics, and genetic diversity to ensure every generation is better than the last.
Many of the breeds we raise are considered rare, heritage, or specialty poultry. These birds represent generations of careful breeding and preservation and are becoming increasingly difficult to find from dedicated breeders focused on maintaining true breed chararistics.
Ayam Cemani
Proud Member Of:
We started our breeding program for Ayam Cemani in June of 2024 and have been diligently culling out unfavorable features not meeting breed conformation. Our parent flock has black mouths, no silver feather leakage, and no mulberry comb leakage. Our chicks hatch with solid black or grey down feathers, with black mouths, and grey/oyster/black tongue that turn black as they age. We hope to acquire new genetics to add to our flock in 2026 that meets SOP guidelines. We are excited to continue to develop this program further in the coming years.
We are proud members of the Ayam Cemani Breeders Association.
Breed History
The Indonesian breed known as the Ayam Cemani are black from feather to bone. They have jet-black feathers with a dark green sheen, black skin, black meat, bones, and even internal organs. This dramatic, head-to-toe pigmentation is due to a rare genetic mutation called "Fibromelanosis", which leads to an overproduction of melanin in the skin and connective tissues and will carry true throughout the entire bird if pure-bred. This gene is uncommon and appears in only a handful of chicken breeds worldwide. Ayam Cemani lay less eggs than a standard chicken, the eggs are medium in size, they don't have the highest fertilization rates, and the chicks can be on the weaker side, resulting in a chicken that is widely regarded as one of rarest breeds on the planet, often nicknamed the “Lamborghini of chickens” for its exotic beauty and exclusivity.
Throughout parts of Asia, Ayam Cemani are admired not only for their stunning appearance, but also for the folklore surrounding their black flesh, which has long been associated with spiritual or mystical significance. It is also highly regarded as one of the most nutrient dense and healing forms of protein for women in post-partum.
Appearance & Temperament
Despite their rough going into the world, Ayam Cemani are generally hardy birds that adapt well to a range of climates. They handle heat and are reasonably cold-tolerant when given the proper structures depending on your region. Temperament-wise, they tend to be alert and reactive. When startled, they are quite flighty birds, not the friendliest of all the breeds.
Adult roosters typically reach 5 to 7 pounds, while hens average 4 to 5 pounds, placing them in the medium-sized category. Hens usually produce between 60 and 100 cream-colored eggs during their first year. Their laying habits can be irregular compared to more common production breeds, with periods of activity followed by longer pauses.
It’s also worth clarifying a common myth: Ayam Cemani do not lay black eggs. Their eggs are cream-colored, like many traditional breeds.
Hatching Information
Eggs are commonly incubated at 99.5°F with approximately 55% humidity, with most chicks hatching around day 21, I have noticed these are eager beaver chicks and they tend to want to hatch early on day 19 and 20. Hatch rates average near 70%, and late hatches are uncommon. When chicks emerge, breeders often check for hallmark traits such as dark tongues, black or gray down, and black toes or nails. In some cases, toe pads and nails may darken further during the first few weeks of growth.
Pullet & Cockerel Hatched from our breeding program
Ambresse "Zombie" Chicks
French Black Copper Marans
This is the Breed that started our Breeding program back in March 2020. We started with hatching eggs ordered from a breeder in Texas, but unfortunately only 1 French Black Copper Marans egg hatched, and of course, it was a Rooster. Little did I know, how much he would become the foundation of my FBCM flock and how he would help improve many other lines in the future.
He passed away a couple years ago, but we still have a few of his daughters, and many of his grand daughters and great grand daughters in our Breeding flock.
Since starting our program in 2020, we have acquired lines from all over the country to better our program, including multiple breeders from Texas, Minneapolis, Massachusetts, California, and Alabama, staying as close to SOP while also breeding for gorgeous exceptional egg-colors. Some of the these breeders have been breeding Marans for over 20 years and acquired their flock from the people who originally imported them into the US from France. We only hope to continue to better our lines in the years to come.
We are proud members of The Marans Club.
Bread History
The Black Copper Marans is one of the most recognizable heritage chicken breeds in the world and is famous for producing some of the darkest chocolate-colored eggs available.
Originating in the port town of Marans, France, these birds were developed as a dual-purpose breed valued for both meat and egg production. Their striking black plumage accented by rich copper feathering around the neck creates an unmistakable appearance.
What truly sets Marans apart is their ability to lay deep chocolate brown eggs. Unlike traditional brown egg layers, Marans deposit a rich brown pigment over the shell, creating colors that range from milk chocolate to dark cocoa and terra cotta. Inside, eggs from pasture-raised birds often have rich, vibrant orange yolks packed with nutrients. Compared to typical store-bought eggs, which often have pale and runny yolks, Marans eggs tend to have a firmer, more pronounced yolk that reflect a nutrient-dense diet.
Because of this, they are often considered among the most flavorful eggs. However, they are not a high-production breed and because of their thickness in their shells, tend to have a harder time hatching, thus making this a tougher variety to raise. Therefore, the time and investment we have made into this specialty flock of FBCM reflect in the pricing out of eggs and chicks. Our breeding program focuses on maintaining excellent egg color, strong body type, feather quality, and overall health while preserving the breed’s heritage characteristics.
Multi-Gen Olive Eggers
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American Bresse
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Ermine Ameraucana
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Jumbo Quail
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