American serama thread!

[JulieNKC]

update on the serama mama- babies are almost 2 weeks now and they are alot of fun to watch, brought them into the livingroom to get pics

So cute!

 

[cluck-cluck]

artsyrobin, your chicks are so cute! I love the colors! Beautiful!

 

[Lunar]

update on the serama mama- babies are almost 2 weeks now and they are alot of fun to watch, brought them into the livingroom to get pics

love the little one looking at you like......must you? Seriously?

OK....I need some help.

My little Serama trio is stuggling with the temperature. I have a 4x6 coop and just the three of them and one D'uccle in there. I posted the setup, with plastic around the pen etc, but they are still cold as its 30degrees right now. I put in an 85 watt bulb, not warm enough. I replaced with a 125watt. I have been up/down all night going out there to see if the temp in that coop is rising and its about 40. My roo seems to be really taking it hard. He even tried to crawl in my coat earlier as I was trying to change the bulb. I am really worried about them. They are about 6 months old. I hate to go up to a 250, but what do you guys think?

I tried to tell my hubby, the only solution is to hatch bunches more so they can huddle together.

 

[cluck-cluck]

Gosh, well for tonight, can you just get a box and put them in the house? or even the bathtub? You don't want to lose them just 'cause it's cold outside! I take it there are no solid walls around them, just a cage with plastic? Do you have really deep shavings or straw for them to burrow into? Don't know what else to suggest. Maybe make 3 solid walls, give them a LOT of bedding, and keep the heat lamp in there? But tonight, maybe bring them into the house?

 

[Lunar]

Gosh, well for tonight, can you just get a box and put them in the house? or even the bathtub? You don't want to lose them just 'cause it's cold outside! I take it there are no solid walls around them, just a cage with plastic? Do you have really deep shavings or straw for them to burrow into? Don't know what else to suggest. Maybe make 3 solid walls, give them a LOT of bedding, and keep the heat lamp in there? But tonight, maybe bring them into the house?

The coop The pen 12x21 wire, wrapped in plastic, sealed with a kennel with
privacy tin woven in
The coop is tucked inside toward the back of the pen and the end is covered too.

Just checked again, and the coop is holding at 40 with a 125 watt bulb. Its inside the coop hanging from the ceiling (insulated) on one end. And they have the other end to move away if they so choose. They seem a bit better since I changed the bulb, eating and drinking and moving around more.

 

[Sumatra503]

The coop The pen 12x21 wire, wrapped in plastic, sealed with a kennel with
privacy tin woven in
The coop is tucked inside toward the back of the pen and the end is covered too.

Just checked again, and the coop is holding at 40 with a 125 watt bulb. Its inside the coop hanging from the ceiling (insulated) on one end. And they have the other end to move away if they so choose. They seem a bit better since I changed the bulb, eating and drinking and moving around more.

You may just try lowering the bulb so it is really warm right underneath it. They will have the choice to get away from it if they choose. Just keep it high enough, their heads won't hit it and they should steer clear of it otherwise.

 

[cluck-cluck]

I'm really glad they're doing better! Just was scared they were freezing but if they're moving around, sounds like it's getting better in there!

 

[Lunar]

ok I will see how they do the rest of the night tonight. If they don't seem happy in a few hours when it gets coldest...I suppose they will be parked in my living room beside the 75 gal aquarium brooder I made till it warms up a bit in the mornings. I don't have a problem bringing them in. I just don't want to lose them. I looked far and wide to find this trio together, so I am gonna do all I can to ensure they live.

Thanks for the advice folks.

 

[Brookhavens]

update on the serama mama- babies are almost 2 weeks now and they are alot of fun to watch, brought them into the livingroom to get pics

They are adorable!!! Mine just turned 2 weeks yesterday too.

 

[Lunar]

ok, I broke....at 6am, it was only 38 in the coop and low twenties outside. We had a huge frost and I couldn't stand it. They were bunched up in a nesting box and shivering. I pulled the light and brought them in and they are still in my kitchen floor. I hung the light above them about 3 feet and they are still bunched up under it in the corner of the cage. In a moment of hunger, they moved around a bit to grab a bite and a drink and I took these shots. I don't think I have posted them on here. I couldn't leave the little D'uccle alone outside, so she is in there too. They are all Mille Fleur colored. I will let the frost burn off with the coming sun and then try to put them back out in the run. They may become night-time house chickens. But that might make it worse going in/out with temp changes.

After a few moments of eating and drinking...the little roo (We call him Sargeant Major) found his voice and decided to talk back to my Yellow-naped Amazon in the corner. She repeated over and over...."Do you talk?" He crowed for about 5 times then decided they weren't speaking the same language and returned to his ladies and relaxed under the light again.

He had never made a peep until then. One hen is always playing in the water and was wet on her neck and belly, so she has stayed under the light trying to dry. She ventured out once to eat a bit of crumble but didn't take but a bite or two and then took a swallow of water and went back to the light.




the last shot is my little man. He is super sweet. He will follow me around in the pen when I am doing anything . He is very calm and easy to pick up and carry around. He is, however still showing some pin feathers, so he is still in a molt. Thats probably why he took the cold harder than the girls.

Ok, I will shut up now. Sorry for the gabby tongue. I just have gotten attached to these little guys and wanted to make sure I didn't lose them to the cold. Thanks for all the advice.