American serama thread!

[cluck-cluck]

Thanks, I actually wish his parents were a little bigger. His daddy is borderline Micro so I have a very low fertility rate with their eggs and they are my best looking pair. I really need some chicks from them that are fertile and lay a decent amount of eggs a week.

Oh, yes, I can see the problem there then. I hope he grows up strong and healthy then! and maybe a B size

BR means blood ring and ND is no development. This batch of eggs look like they had a very rough trip through the postal system. Detached air cells in a lot of them.

Oh, I didn't catch the "at 7 days" part, yah, it's so hard with these eggs! I really shouldn't try again here.

little update on the little ones- they are all busy little things and have been practicing their wings - too darn cute!




also, does anyone use ivomec on seramas? the pour on kind? what is the dosage?

Awww, they look the same as my 3, about a week old? maybe a couple of days more? I just stuck my older Serama in with the three I hatched a bit over a week ago and he/she is NOT happy being taken away from his/her mates in the other brooder, but I want them to get used to each other! I hope I haven't made a mistake, and made him/her mad at me for life

For ivomec, maybe you can find a good answer here: https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/708537/ivomec-dosage-for-chickens-topical-or-oral

 

[froggiesheins]

There is a fuzzy-butt overload on there today! I am in love with all them fuzzies. Haven't been able to get time to read till tonite and have a gazillion posts to go thru.......

 

[Lunar]

ok I have a rookie question...please be kind and not think bad of me asking this, but....

I have a new coop/pen setup for my Serama's. It has a carport cover 12x21 (the pen is the entire area under this) and I sectioned off a 5x12 area to use for a breeding section if/when I get birds old enough to do so. My question is...I know these guys can fly, but how much, how high etc. I have 5' welded wire for the divider, but could put a layer on top of that to reach the ceiling if needed. Do I need it? My hopeful eggs will probably spend the winter indoors and go out in the spring, but I would like to have the pen ready before it gets too cold for me to work on it.

I also don't want them to fly over the divider from the big part into the breeding part and be trapped until I find them. I hope that makes sense, and I don't sound like too much of an idiot. I am trying to learn all I can and be ready for my little ones. I raised finches for years, but I am new to chickens.

Sorry if I sound skiddish. I have just seen some threads get really nasty to newbies that ask questions. I just thought if anyone could tell me true, it would be owners. Thanks for any/all advice you might give.

And btw, the pix of all the babies are soooo adorable. I am so hopeful about my eggs. First hatch, I can't help it.

 

[cluck-cluck]

I wish you all the luck in the world for your eggs!

They're tough to hatch, but you're much closer than I to all the good breeders! I think Seramas can fly up to 6 feet, possibly more. They have to want to go to the other side to try though?

Only thing I'd like to mention, and it may not be a problem for you, is if you have any predators, you'll want to be sure to predator proof the structure. If you have raccoons, make sure you use a small welded wire mesh or fencing so they can't grab a chicken through the fence. That's a huge problem where I live. I've also seen an increase in hawks circulating over our backyard since I made a coop! They're smart buggers! Seem to know what that's for even so my birds have been cooped up while a build their run! I'm trying to do a good job myself because I really don't want to go out one day and see my birds all slaughtered in the run, that'd be too horrible!

Other than that, sounds very spacious, and I'm sure the birds will really love it! But also know Seramas like it warm, so you'll need a plan for next winter, maybe build something a little more solid? I dunno, but should be fine for spring, summer and fall (most of)

Welcome!!!

 

[Pinx]

My Seramas are paired up in separate breeding pens, I bring the hens out about every other day to play around in the yard and the highest I have ever seen one fly was about 6 feet. I don't know how much higher they can fly but I'm sure they can, she is new to flying so that may have just been her trying to figure it out. I'm not sure how high they can fly straight up.

I would put a top on the pens just to be safe, last thing you need is a stray cat or something getting in there and snatching one, or some houdini Serama getting in the wrong pen and beating up another Serama.

Good luck with your eggs! I hope they all hatch

 

[Pinx]

Cluck-cluck there are some breeders with really nice Serama in Cali.

 

[Lunar]

ok here is my setup and I winterized it already as I have some silkie chicks that are 4 weeks right now in a brooder.(they might make it outside this winter) Its a carport cover of metal and it is wrapped in welded wire, ground-to-ceiling (hard to see, but its all the way up). Then 3 sides wrapped in heavy plastic to block wind. then I took a 10x10x6 dog kennel laced it with privacy tin and ran it down the 2 long sides to help the plastic weather the wind we get. The far, back end has a tarp ground-to-ceiling except for a triangle at the top for ventilation.

The first shot is my coop cottage which is powered for lights/heat lamp. The pen has rope lights running all the way around inside for a bit of light at night. I intend to put them up in the coop at night for safety. I need to do some painting on the gate I built, and the wood trim pieces.




I also put a row of cat block on the ground along the wooden base boards. We filled any dips or holes around the bottom and then placed the block to hopefully stop any diggers. My worst fear was the Hawks we have. That is why I chose a metal roof. I used one of the braces for a place to put my divider for the breeding pen in the back. I want to choose the best of my stock and separate them off to ensure I know who laid and who bred them.

Where we live used to be a huge farm so when they divided it up...it was a blank slate for us. I have planted some fruit trees but they are still very small. So the pen is kinda out in the open and not far from the house. The property is over an acre and the pen is almost smack in the middle. I am hoping this will deter some predators as they would be out in the open to get to the pen. I also have a huge street light that we put on our power pole that lights most of the yard.

Ok, I will hush now...I just wanted to make sure my little guys are safe and happy. Thanks for bearing with me.

 

[cluck-cluck]

Yes, Pinx, but I never see any eggs for sale

Lunar, it sounds like you got it covered (was going to say something about diggers, but you covered that too

) Can you give them that doghouse to cozy up in? or will they get the coop cottage inside? Maybe some deep wooden garage type shelving to turn into cubbies for them? Or maybe you have other ideas? I'm just thinking 'cause my only hens outside right now are two leghorns, and they're in a big (ish) 4X8 coop, huddling in the corner on the roost at night. They look so cold

They'll be sharing space with up and coming chicks soon. Hopefully they'll be fine when winter gets into swing with 8 birds together! but yah, smaller spaces in there to cuddle up and get warm would be essential. Don't know if you've thought of that already, but...yah

BTW, love the little cottage, so cute, and am envious of your land and car port! LOTS of space

 

[ChristineR]

i understand i have been studying the breed for who knows how long (over a year, maybe 2 forgot XD) the big i notice with the pics too that i was holding them, which made their tails go down, in the face without me touching me their tail set is somewhat high, but *sadly* i dont have a spot that i dont need to worry if they fly off, that they would be killed :/
i am thinking of getting some SQ seramas tho, i would LOVE to get a silkie serama

Hi Miss Heny - I think your problem with the tail set is that they aren't 100% Serama (see your post below). I wouldn't use them for breeding, but I'm sure they are great pets.

welp, i got 4 free serama chicks, well over 1/2 serama. which thinking about it, it would be good in a way because when i get some purebreds, they wont be so inbred, am i right on my logic?

they are super small, but i guess they will be either a b,c or d size birds once full grown, they have the stance already coming, which is good, i need to work on taming them ^_^" i had to catch them with a net (now that was fun)

i got one silver birchin, one hatchery quality silver lace, and at least one cuckoo, i cant guess the other one, i know i got a one roo and that is the cuckoo

ok here is my setup and I winterized it already as I have some silkie chicks that are 4 weeks right now in a brooder.(they might make it outside this winter) Its a carport cover of metal and it is wrapped in welded wire, ground-to-ceiling (hard to see, but its all the way up). Then 3 sides wrapped in heavy plastic to block wind. then I took a 10x10x6 dog kennel laced it with privacy tin and ran it down the 2 long sides to help the plastic weather the wind we get. The far, back end has a tarp ground-to-ceiling except for a triangle at the top for ventilation.

The first shot is my coop cottage which is powered for lights/heat lamp. The pen has rope lights running all the way around inside for a bit of light at night. I intend to put them up in the coop at night for safety. I need to do some painting on the gate I built, and the wood trim pieces.




I also put a row of cat block on the ground along the wooden base boards. We filled any dips or holes around the bottom and then placed the block to hopefully stop any diggers. My worst fear was the Hawks we have. That is why I chose a metal roof. I used one of the braces for a place to put my divider for the breeding pen in the back. I want to choose the best of my stock and separate them off to ensure I know who laid and who bred them.

Where we live used to be a huge farm so when they divided it up...it was a blank slate for us. I have planted some fruit trees but they are still very small. So the pen is kinda out in the open and not far from the house. The property is over an acre and the pen is almost smack in the middle. I am hoping this will deter some predators as they would be out in the open to get to the pen. I also have a huge street light that we put on our power pole that lights most of the yard.

Ok, I will hush now...I just wanted to make sure my little guys are safe and happy. Thanks for bearing with me.

Your set up looks really nice. I love that coop - it's so cute! I would definitely cover the top of your pens with wire. I've never seen mine fly more than 4 or 5 feet off the ground, but I would worry about something climbing in to get your Seramas. I've had raccoons climb up on my duck pens and try to rip the wire off the top. Luckily, they weren't strong enough, but they gave it a good try and bent a lot of my wire. There's always cats to worry about, too.

 

[Sumatra503]

ok I have a rookie question...please be kind and not think bad of me asking this, but....

I have a new coop/pen setup for my Serama's. It has a carport cover 12x21 (the pen is the entire area under this) and I sectioned off a 5x12 area to use for a breeding section if/when I get birds old enough to do so. My question is...I know these guys can fly, but how much, how high etc. I have 5' welded wire for the divider, but could put a layer on top of that to reach the ceiling if needed. Do I need it? My hopeful eggs will probably spend the winter indoors and go out in the spring, but I would like to have the pen ready before it gets too cold for me to work on it.

I also don't want them to fly over the divider from the big part into the breeding part and be trapped until I find them. I hope that makes sense, and I don't sound like too much of an idiot. I am trying to learn all I can and be ready for my little ones. I raised finches for years, but I am new to chickens.

Sorry if I sound skiddish. I have just seen some threads get really nasty to newbies that ask questions. I just thought if anyone could tell me true, it would be owners. Thanks for any/all advice you might give.

And btw, the pix of all the babies are soooo adorable. I am so hopeful about my eggs. First hatch, I can't help it.

I once saw Percilla fly up and over the top of my house and land on the other side. They can really fly.

Later on when you have breeding birds and food in the breeding half, they will definitely try it.