American serama thread!

[NNYchick]

@WVduckchick I saw in another thread that you use the Harris Farms Nurture Right incubator I was wondering if you have used it for small Serama Eggs? I’m thinking of getting this one but then I started noticing people having problems with qual/ pheasant eggs because of the size.

 

[WVduckchick]

@WVduckchick I saw in another thread that you use the Harris Farms Nurture Right incubator I was wondering if you have used it for small Serama Eggs? I’m thinking of getting this one but then I started noticing people having problems with qual/ pheasant eggs because of the size.

I think I’ve done some in it, I honestly can’t remember
I know I did bantam cochins in it just fine.

I think they would be ok though, they would just maybe stay against one side of the turner slot, and you may need to check them every so often to make sure they are positioned ok. Or could you hand-turn? You could just take the turner out, if you are able to hand-turn. I wish they made another turner rack with smaller slots.

 

[NNYchick]

I think I’ve done some in it, I honestly can’t remember
I know I did bantam cochins in it just fine.

I think they would be ok though, they would just maybe stay against one side of the turner slot, and you may need to check them every so often to make sure they are positioned ok. Or could you hand-turn? You could just take the turner out, if you are able to hand-turn. I wish they made another turner rack with smaller slots.

Thank you for the input. I keep telling myself I need a new incubator and researching, reading reviews on different incubators but the reality is to keep my chicken math in check I should keep using this Janoel 12, especially with all these broody silkies. I gave my silkie hen 14 of my serama's eggs thinking, oh they wont all be fertile. Candled the other day and everyone of them has wiggling embryo with awesome vein development.

 

[Faraday40]

Thank you for the input. I keep telling myself I need a new incubator and researching, reading reviews on different incubators but the reality is to keep my chicken math in check I should keep using this Janoel 12, especially with all these broody silkies. I gave my silkie hen 14 of my serama's eggs thinking, oh they wont all be fertile. Candled the other day and everyone of them has wiggling embryo with awesome vein development.

Wow! I'm more impressed that you silkie can cover 14 eggs!!!!

 

[NNYchick]

Wow! I'm more impressed that you silkie can cover 14 eggs!!!!

I was too I only usually give her 6 Silkie eggs but the Serama Eggs are much smaller. I took 12 out of the incubator that had been in there for 2 days because she went broody and she had 2 under her. When I gave them to her one by one she was able to cover them so I left it thinking after first candle I’d be removing clears but not the case. I lift her ever night to ensure none of her sisters have contributed to her cause and they are all warm. I will only leave her with a few to raise and bring the rest in the brooder when they hatch because if she hatched 14 I think that’s too many for her to care for.

 

[Ginmary]

Wow! I'm more impressed that you silkie can cover 14 eggs!!!!

Never underestimate the ability of a Silkie to flatten itself. When my black silkie is brooding or squats when I go to pet her, she looks like a Roomba with a head! I think she could easily cover a dozen and a half eggs!

 

[Faraday40]

I was too I only usually give her 6 Silkie eggs but the Serama Eggs are much smaller. I took 12 out of the incubator that had been in there for 2 days because she went broody and she had 2 under her. When I gave them to her one by one she was able to cover them so I left it thinking after first candle I’d be removing clears but not the case. I lift her ever night to ensure none of her sisters have contributed to her cause and they are all warm. I will only leave her with a few to raise and bring the rest in the brooder when they hatch because if she hatched 14 I think that’s too many for her to care for.

Although it would be difficult for her to free range with 14 chicks, she wouldn't have any trouble if you could help her contain them - like in a big brooder, playpen, chicken tractor.

My bantam Orpington Cookie has raised up to 30 chicks at a time this way. I just put her inside the brooder. (Thankfully she can't count and loves to mother anything that peeps.) I add a "mama heating pad" for the overflow chicks. She usually places herself next to it. All the chicks get the benefit of 24/7 monitoring and her scratching expertise. (She's very, very insistent about scratching skills!) When they're a couple days old, I let the big family have some protected grass time by putting them in a play yard. (It also reduces brooder cleanings if they can spend time in the grass.) Eventually when enough chicks sell and the number is manageable, I let mama free range with them.

 

[HeartsDelight]

5 weeks old on Sunday, my first clutch

 

[NNYchick]

Although it would be difficult for her to free range with 14 chicks, she wouldn't have any trouble if you could help her contain them - like in a big brooder, playpen, chicken tractor.

My bantam Orpington Cookie has raised up to 30 chicks at a time this way. I just put her inside the brooder. (Thankfully she can't count and loves to mother anything that peeps.) I add a "mama heating pad" for the overflow chicks. She usually places herself next to it. All the chicks get the benefit of 24/7 monitoring and her scratching expertise. (She's very, very insistent about scratching skills!) When they're a couple days old, I let the big family have some protected grass time by putting them in a play yard. (It also reduces brooder cleanings if they can spend time in the grass.) Eventually when enough chicks sell and the number is manageable, I let mama free range with them.
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The mama heating pad for over flow is a good idea. I do separate her once chicks are hatching I move her to a area sectioned off with a dog pen so she can have her own area, she lets me know when she is ready to bring chicks out usually around 1-2 weeks old.
I don’t let any of my girls out in the yard to free range unless I can be right there to watch over them, Usually a few hours in the evening. My boys have been free ranging during the day now that the weather is better. I noticed since putting the boys out to range my girls are so much more laid back with me coming up to chat and be petted. I’m trying to find homes for all these excess Silkie boys but nobody is interested in roosters.

 

[CatWhisperer]

I am getting some Serama chicks soon. I need help with what waterer an feeder would be safe and appropriate. Can adult seramas be housed with my regular chickens? Do I need to have a separate coop and yard for them? Any help offered for raising these little guys is appreciated. Of course I plan on at least some being house pets. Is there any problem with having chickens in the house with a couple small parrots?