American serama thread!

[yellowherb]

Just an FYI for everyone, that person has been going on in this manner about seramas since last summer at least. They're trying to get a rise out of us so best thing to do is pay them no attention.

Maybe they should be reported as a troll or instigator?

 

[meltel]

Thank you for your input. My eggs are from within the state of Fl. I went with "local" eggs thinking it may make the trip less stressful for the eggs.

I have found some seramas locally which are very close to what I was after. They will probably be larger than I wanted judging by the size of their parents.

I like odd ball things, seramas to me are oddballs just due to the size of them. I had a teeny little oegb hen once who I loved and in my mind a serama should be smaller than she was, that's it, simple really At least to me haha. I wanted something that "looks" like a serama but did not have to be standing on a judging table or in a cage being judged. Just pets, but still wanted the look and tiny size.

I have found the smaller the bird, the harder they are to raise and hatch and life span and fertility have not been as good. But that is my personal experience. It doesn't mean there aren't exceptions to the rule. I won an auction supporting the Spirit of Chicago Serama Club. They have some wonderful breeders and I like to support groups who are active in improving & enjoying the breed. It was for a dozen eggs and I knew I took my chances having them shipped the week of Christmas. She was nice enough to include some micros and class A malaysian free due to fertility and difficulty to hatch. I have gotten some class A birds from big parents and some large birds from small parents. So i tend to lean to a larger bird. I have also found their temperaments are better overall. But yes if a bird is larger and has a longer back, it will tend to lean more toward an OEGB. I appreciate how you run your business with integrity as many do not. They will send pics of their best but send eggs from their cull pens or newly laying pullets. You have some really good breeders near you. If you happen to love the breed like I do and catch "serama breeder fever" I wish you the best in acquiring some wonderful birds from our "down south" neighbors!!!!

 

[formerchickenlass]

Thank you for the information. I have no future plans for showing, it's just for my own enjoyment I still enjoy knowing what the colors are called and how the bird "should" look even if my little guys come no where near it! I'm just going to enjoy my non show worthy Seramas and cheer their brethren on to win shows.

You're welcome! I'm in a similar boat, I don't show and while I may attend a show at some point, it's not something I'll ever get into seriously as I don't drive and there are no shows locally. And I have no interest in collecting ribbons.

My interest is in learning about the breed, enjoying my birds, and breeding toward the standard. The genetics are fascinating and I learn more each month. Sometimes the sweetest birds aren't breeding-worthy but they are still great pets to have around and I'm sure I'll always have a few of those.

 

[bullets]

My point is that you should not represent a group as a whole based on your opinion instead of fact. Shame on you. To be proud that you "killed" a club on the west coast and publicly boasting about it on a chicken information website is exactly the reason why there is such divide in the serama community!!!! You make it more about you and your opinion when it comes to culling and your hatred of certain individuals... and I quote "pretty much killed ASA on the west coast. I did good. U ask Dianne Brewer about me......." There are so many wonderful birds in the ASA, SCNA and Serama USA. I don't need to attack individuals of certain clubs or brag and name drop to prove a point or breed and show quality birds in all groups. I enjoy the beauty of the breed through all of the groups eyes. If you were sick of seeing people boasting about killing their trash, why did you not just block the individuals that were doing it instead of being proud of being "the demise" of a club. It is what is wrong in the Serama world, politics, religion etc..... Because you have a different opinion than someone else does not make it right or wrong, better or worse. You stated in your original post to stay away from the ASA because they cull heavily. I am a member of ASA and I do not cull for reasons other than health. You did not say it was because they brag about it. And if they did brag about it, I believe that is what we call freedom of speech. I do not know Jerry personally, nor do I know Dianna, however I am pretty sure that Jerry has culled birds and so has Dianne. I do not believe that anywhere in the ASA or SCNA or Serama USA rules or guidelines is there a rule about culling or speaking of it. By speaking of individuals directly, I can see your anger is more focused on people and politics and less on what you truly state the real "problem" is (culling). I wish you peace in whatever situation is that is causing you such hostility regarless and leave you with this final thought.

@meltel Thank you again for standing up to bullying behavior. I'm glad I'm not the only one who's noticed thess types of agressive, and silly responses. To add to your comment on culling. Jerry openly talks about his culls being gator food... I can't on earth understand why someone would be glad to "kill" a wonderful club because some breeders decide that the only birds a person will get from them is a great bird, and then boast about a new club they're apart of who's founder throws out his birds to the gators. Doesn't make sense...

 

[yellowherb]

My interest is in learning about the breed, enjoying my birds, and breeding toward the standard. The genetics are fascinating and I learn more each month. Sometimes the sweetest birds aren't breeding-worthy but they are still great pets to have around and I'm sure I'll always have a few of those.

Perfectly said!

 

[formerchickenlass]

Maybe they should be reported as a troll or instigator?

When someone is behaving as a troll, they often lose interest when no one gives them attention. Reporting is attention. Even this conversation is attention, unfortunately.

If it gets bad, if it takes over the thread and degrades the discussion and enjoyment of others, then it will be time to involve a moderator. For now and as a general point of advice when dealing with trolls, I suggest everyone ignore it. Don't see them, don't interact. Trolls troll out of boredom and if you don't give them a game then they'll go be bored elsewhere.

 

[meltel]

@meltel

Thank you again for standing up to bullying behavior. I'm glad I'm not the only one who's noticed thess types of agressive, and silly responses.

To add to your comment on culling. Jerry openly talks about his culls being gator food... I can't on earth understand why someone would be glad to "kill" a wonderful club because some breeders decide that the only birds a person will get from them is a great bird, and then boast about a new club they're apart of who's founder throws out his birds to the gators. Doesn't make sense...

I can not speak in regards to Jerry or what he does with his birds. I do not know him. i do know he was instrumental in bringing the birds to the U.S. and helping develop the breed. From what I have seen he has some beautiful birds and has produced many champions. With that being said, I do know that when starting a breed and breeding for perfection at the volume he has, it is unlikely that he has not culled heavily at one point or another. And if people have any objections as to what anyone does with their birds, they have the freedom to choose who and what to buy or associate with. I do take offense however to labeling an entire club and misleading people. I am an ASA member and do not cull presently. I have bred a non-show bird because I love her personality. she is a great pet and mother and I do not want to lose that trait. so I keep her offspring or have no trouble getting rid of them since she is a beautiful Calico. So to say such things about a group to people who are new to the breed because of your own personal vengeance

 

[bullets]

I fully respect what a breeder decides to do with their culls. I admire Jerry for everything he's done for the breed. Without him none of us may have had any Seramas. He donates a lot of his birds to kids as well. If he wants to throw his out to the gators, so be it. It's the the circle of life. I was just pointing out the double standard, to leave a group and bash them for one reason and then going to another group who's founder does the same.

 

[meltel]

I would like to share my story that won the "tell us your chicken story" contest.

HOW I BECAME THE CRAZY CHICKEN LADY

"Consuela" the lone chicken wandered up our driveway one day and never left. One day she hurt her leg. I was really upset at the salon and one of my clients could tell. I told her about Consuelas leg and how sad we were. Small world-her husband is a vet that specializes in chickens!!! He has bred and showed them his entire life! We made a trade-her salon service for his vet service and he fixed Consuela.

A couple months later disaster struck-Consuela got locked out of her coop one night and a predator got her

Again I had to go into work after finding her on the lawn that morning and bawling my eyes out. My client just so happened to be in that day again. I told her what had happened and she cried with me. She immediately texted her husband and the next thing I knew, she was telling me how sorry she was for me and that her husband wanted to give me a "special" gift. She told me about these little amazing chickens he breeds and shows called seramas and had a pair for me! I got Barry and Patty a couple days later (Barry for Bill & Sheree) and Patty (for Patterson).

I am now the proud owner of over 150 chickens of all different breeds and breeding and showing seramas at a national level! I have made about 50 new close friends and finally have a hobby that I love and am passionate about. God works in mysterious ways and even during times of trouble or sorrow He is with us always and always has a plan

I was brought to showing seramas by a lone mutt chicken. I have been off work from an injury that has left me disabled and without the support of my chicken friends both here, across country and on BYC, it would be a much longer road to recovery. I am very blessed.

 

[meltel]

I fully respect what a breeder decides to do with their culls. I admire Jerry for everything he's done for the breed. Without him none of us may have had any Seramas. He donates a lot of his birds to kids as well. If he wants to throw his out to the gators, so be it. It's the the circle of life. I was just pointing out the double standard, to leave a group and bash them for one reason and then going to another group who's founder does the same.

Well said! That is what I am trying to point out. It is a complete disservice to steer someone away from a certain group that has beautiful birds because of their own hatred and ugly words! The person that was looking for seramas is in Florida and I know there are some people closer to there and in Florida that might be able to help them or steer them in the right direction. People have inquired about my "pet quality" birds for sale. I am honest about what i sell. Unfortunately I dont dictate what it costs to safely ship the birds and that is more than what people want to spend on pet quality. I will then refer them to someone I know closer to them to help them afford the best they can get. In the end, i just want what is best for the birds and the people. I know my birds have a wonderful life when they are with me. if someone raises snakes and tells me they use my birds as snake food and are humane about it, then the bird serves a purpose. I would not sell a bird for inhumane reasons-cock fighting, the joy of killing etc. But you are right-it is the circle of life. I eat chicken and i know where it comes from-an animal has to die. Same with pork and beef. But I dont hate vegetarians or Peta or anyone else for their beliefs.

I just don't like when people cross fact with opinion.