Once upon a time in the stunning landscapes of Southwestern Montana, there lived a rather unconventional chicken enthusiast we’ll call Pierce. To the casual observer, she might resemble your typical full-time student, Cadre Instructor, military member, wife, and mother. But Pierce was anything but ordinary. In May 2023, after a playful exchange with her husband, she found herself reserving a domain name, determined to prove him wrong. That was the day she discovered the Ayam Cemani chicken breed.

Pierce had previously raised various flocks of chickens from egg to nugget across the country and was well-versed in all things poultry. Yet when she laid eyes on the Ayam Cemani, it was love at first sight. Time stood still, and it felt as though angels were singing. This striking bird was unlike anything she had ever seen. Overwhelmed by admiration, she turned to her husband and declared, “I need the Goth Chickens!”

The couple then dove into researching the breed’s needs and requirements, only to realize that raising them would be no small feat. The Ayam Cemani’s Swedish cousin, the Svarthöna, proved to be better suited for the harsh winters of the Northwestern U.S. However, its rarity posed a significant challenge; a recent national poultry census from Sweden confirmed that fewer than 500 of these hens remained. As a result, the eggs and chicks came with a hefty price tag. 

While Pierce's husband was less than enthusiastic about the idea—“Sorry, Babe. This is all a lot. There’s no way we can make this happen”—she was not about to let his skepticism deter her. The moment he left the room, she opened a new tab, filed for an LLC, and launched this website. This crazy chicken lady was determined to chase her dream!

Now, we at Goth Chicken Farms are focused on raising the capital needed to establish a Goth Chicken flock in Spring 2025. We're currently raising funds through merchandise and sticker sales, featuring designs inspired by our dark-feathered friends and Pierce’s patriotism as a proud service member.

If you've made it this far, we hope our story brings you a smile and that you’ll join us in preserving this beautiful chicken breed—and, of course, in proving Pierce's husband wrong!