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Brenda, I'm kind of in the same boat. However, I've had all my birds since they were essentially chicks. My first hatchlings from my original pair are approaching 4 months old, and I need to start selecting for pairs for next year. My oldest birds, (their parents) are only 9 months old though, and still improving.... They are completely different than they were at that same age as their offspring. Some lines just mature late. My cockerel only started growing sickle feathers at 8 months old!!
Unless you're in a big hurry, I might suggest that you grow out what you deem to be your best, and get them to a show, and see how they score. That will give you a good idea whether you call them "breeder quality" "show quality" or "pet quality". Edgar of SCNA suggests that only birds that score 75 or more be called "show quality" if that gives you some kind of measure. As far as price? That really depends on your market. Where they are in demand, like So Cal, some good $$ can be made. In other places, you can hardly give them away!! If you live in one of those places, then perhaps the BYC auctions are your best place to sell.
However that means keeping them until they are at least 5 months old and showable, or until your next possible show.
As far as weights, I have a cockerel that is 15oz, plus a few decimal points, and he is 9 months old. When he was 4 1/2 months old, he was around 12 oz.
My pullet is around 13 oz at 9 months, she got heaviest before she started laying (high 13's), then dropped weight after hatching her first egg (12's).
Their offspring which is 3-1/2 months old, the cockerels are about 10 -11 oz, and the pullets are about 6-7 oz. Comparable females I got from another breeder of the same age, are 8-10oz. My females just seem to be small from my particular pairing.
Somebody posted a great link on SCNA for boxes that were half the price of all the others. If I were to ship, I would do so immediately while the weather is mild, or wait until spring. I don't suggest shipping birds less than 3 months old. They just seem so fragile up to that point. So little meat on their bones to sustain 3-4 days in a box w/o food and water. Yes, overnight can be 3-4 days, just ask MemphisJourney!!
Hope that helps!!
Knowing those weights will really be interesting to see how they are doing. I guess I am located in a "dead zone" for Seramas. I have been in touch with Bluegrass Seramas but they do a lot of showing and I guess know a lot of people in the breed. Problem is that I do not go to a lot of shows unless they are near by and am just learning about training and showing. I can learn how to ship and that will help. For now, I guess, I will just grow them out as they are not near 8 months. Thank you for all the info. This forum has such nice helpful people!
