American serama thread!

[RedRoosterFarm]

I put new cages in the bird barn a week ago and they ave trays that are 2 to 3 inches deep so I thought I would do sand in them. It holds the heat well and the birds love it but its to messy for me. I like my shavings best.
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I will try both and see how I like em. I don't like wire for feather legged or heavy breeds so I never used them before.

 

[RedRoosterFarm]

Well I listed serama eggs tonight. I figure with hubby out of work and me working 20 hours a week. We need some cash coming in. Hope I can sell a few. Wish they could ship serama chicks without them dying or getting lost in the mail. I love the USPS! im still waiting on my claim from the 7 they killed a few weeks ago. Never heard a word back from them yet. im sure I wont.

 

[Chicklette 1]

Quote:
I will try both and see how I like em. I don't like wire for feather legged or heavy breeds so I never used them before.


I have just set up cages in my garage and made sides about 6 inches tall out of a foam board to help keep the shavings in. I used the 42X28X30h dog kennels with a double door. The large door on the long side gives me great access for cleaning and the height allows me to put 2 perches in for them. I am using them as grow out pens and will also use them for breeding cages. So far, so good. I also bought on that is a little smaller and only has one door. Got them from Craigs list and bought 2 of them at a great price and free shipping on line. I have them elevated on a picnic table right in front of a couple of windows so they get natural light. I do have heat lamps to use on top of them but they are getting old enough now that I only turn them on if it is really, really cold. The garage stays pretty warm. I am also getting one set up with the pelleted pine to see if I like that better than sand or shavings. My cages all have removable plastic pans on the bottom so it is solid flooring. I just clean the litter and I don't take the pans out unless I need to wash them. I don't feel good about the birds on wire all the time either. Just thought I'd add to the suggestions for you.

 

[shelleyd2008]

I listed 2 pair of Serama on BSA, Crele male w/ black female and a pair of 'birchen'. I will be listing more soon, but would like to wait until I can get good pics and weights on them. Should be later this week. I also need to renew my GFM so I can list more auctions.

 

[shelleyd2008]

Quote:

I have just set up cages in my garage and made sides about 6 inches tall out of a foam board to help keep the shavings in. I used the 42X28X30h dog kennels with a double door. The large door on the long side gives me great access for cleaning and the height allows me to put 2 perches in for them. I am using them as grow out pens and will also use them for breeding cages. So far, so good. I also bought on that is a little smaller and only has one door. Got them from Craigs list and bought 2 of them at a great price and free shipping on line. I have them elevated on a picnic table right in front of a couple of windows so they get natural light. I do have heat lamps to use on top of them but they are getting old enough now that I only turn them on if it is really, really cold. The garage stays pretty warm. I am also getting one set up with the pelleted pine to see if I like that better than sand or shavings. My cages all have removable plastic pans on the bottom so it is solid flooring. I just clean the litter and I don't take the pans out unless I need to wash them. I don't feel good about the birds on wire all the time either. Just thought I'd add to the suggestions for you.

If you mean styrofoam board, they will eat that. You can use wood or plastic to keep the bedding in the cage.

 

[smoothmule]

I'm so glad to hear our Oklahoma friends are okay, so far anyway. I kind of hesitated saying this, I'm a nurse and know better than to say the Q word so everyone knock on wood together now!

I have my Serama's inside now for the winter except T-Roo and his 4 ladies. It's the only outside cage I have that has the sides to block the wind and I have a light on them. We had a few freezing nights but it would warm in the day and it's been warmer lately so I have let them stay out. They will be moved in soon though. The others are all in wire cages in the garage. They get some time out to roam around sometimes but they have good sized cages and plenty of natural light. It stays cozy enough that only the young ones have a light and they're just 60 watt bulbs probably more for my comfort, they have been fine. All of these cages were just bought this fall for them and they all have coated wire that is half by half inch or half by three quarter inch. They all have trays under them and stack. They seem to like the view with no solid sides and it's inside for all winter so I like they have good ventilation and the natural light from the windows. They must be happy too, several of the hens have started to lay again. I'm using newspapers in the trays, I've been able to get a trunk full from the newspaper office for a couple of bucks and I change it out every 4 or 5 days so it's "nearly" free. I have one 2 foot by 3 foot set of cages that has been fine for the younger birds, they seem very content and they aren't as tall so they seem more cozy. The other stack is 4 foot by 3 foot and I have trio's in those. I have another set that needs a new roller wheel thing that is a double stack that came from a dog groomer friend and it's 6 foot by 3 foot top and bottom and they can be divided, I have one of the dividers which is a solid panel. They are super heavy, not coated wire though, I think it's the baked on coating.....I can't remember what they call that. Anyway, it's a huge, heavy thing and will work very well for a rooster and several hens for each of the 2 pens undivided. I'm using hanging feeders that hold 3 pounds of feed and I hung them using those plastic snap rings (parrot toys) and it's working perfect. They all still have their rabbit water bottles so that doesn't take up any of their floor space and they're so clean to use.

I love having them inside for winter. I go out in the evening and just play with them. I'm looking around for a nice taller table that I can put turf on for training them for table top. I've been bringing a couple of the roosters/cockerels in to play with in the house and my parrot is getting jealous. He tells them "quit" and lay down" if they get too close to his cage.

I've set a few eggs, some are looking good so I hope we're back to hatching a few. I have plenty of room in the garage now and a second brooder so I am "ready"!

 

[froggiesheins]

Thats too funny about your parrot...

Yes, isn't it grand to have the birdies close to you. I have a few that come in the house at night basically for my entertainment. [ the younger ones] I have a junk room with a table that can get pooped on etc....so they run around on that, my PC is in here so they get to play on mom too! Winter won't be so bad for you...right?

I too am happy to hear that all the Okies' are fine.

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[froggiesheins]

Quote:
I have just set up cages in my garage and made sides about 6 inches tall out of a foam board to help keep the shavings in. I used the 42X28X30h dog kennels with a double door. The large door on the long side gives me great access for cleaning and the height allows me to put 2 perches in for them. I am using them as grow out pens and will also use them for breeding cages. So far, so good. I also bought on that is a little smaller and only has one door. Got them from Craigs list and bought 2 of them at a great price and free shipping on line. I have them elevated on a picnic table right in front of a couple of windows so they get natural light. I do have heat lamps to use on top of them but they are getting old enough now that I only turn them on if it is really, really cold. The garage stays pretty warm. I am also getting one set up with the pelleted pine to see if I like that better than sand or shavings. My cages all have removable plastic pans on the bottom so it is solid flooring. I just clean the litter and I don't take the pans out unless I need to wash them. I don't feel good about the birds on wire all the time either. Just thought I'd add to the suggestions for you.

If you mean styrofoam board, they will eat that. You can use wood or plastic to keep the bedding in the cage.

Yup, I learned too that chickens LOVE LOVE LOVE styrofoam! Its like them diving into a tub of mealworms!
Is it the white color?? What is it with that stuff???

 

[Larkspur88]

I have an old styrofoam cooler outside and everytime my large fowl free roam the backyard at least half go straight to it and begin eating it

 

[RedRoosterFarm]

sounds like you have a nice set up. I gotta figure something out for me here.
Quote:

I have just set up cages in my garage and made sides about 6 inches tall out of a foam board to help keep the shavings in. I used the 42X28X30h dog kennels with a double door. The large door on the long side gives me great access for cleaning and the height allows me to put 2 perches in for them. I am using them as grow out pens and will also use them for breeding cages. So far, so good. I also bought on that is a little smaller and only has one door. Got them from Craigs list and bought 2 of them at a great price and free shipping on line. I have them elevated on a picnic table right in front of a couple of windows so they get natural light. I do have heat lamps to use on top of them but they are getting old enough now that I only turn them on if it is really, really cold. The garage stays pretty warm. I am also getting one set up with the pelleted pine to see if I like that better than sand or shavings. My cages all have removable plastic pans on the bottom so it is solid flooring. I just clean the litter and I don't take the pans out unless I need to wash them. I don't feel good about the birds on wire all the time either. Just thought I'd add to the suggestions for you.