Broody Serama hen

[Lidiapac730]

I few weeks ago I adopted a couple of seramas, a hen and a rooster, I think they are a few years old, and I think they were breeding couple, and not well cared for, came with scaly mites, their feet were in a very bad shape, plus they are very skittish. Anyways, I just noticed that my hen just went broody, I think she is on her first day, she has 4 eggs, I was trying to take them and she got all puffed up attacked me... She now does not leave the nest. My question is, are seramas good moms? Should I let her keep the chicks (if they hatch) are raise them? Would they have enough time to feather out before winter? Would the rooster be nice to them? What should I do???

 

[sourland]

I have never had Seramas, but from what I have read they are excellent mothers. @WVduckchick routinely allows hers to raise chicks.

 

[9SpiceyChickens]

My tip- Let chooks be chooks but if the eggs and chicks start being mistreated, (mom not sitting on them, rooster pecking them a lot, etc) take them under your ¨Wing¨. Good luck!

 

[WVduckchick]

My seramas hens are very excellent mothers. But I will caution you, they do seem to wean the chicks sooner than my other breeds. 3-6 weeks is about their limit. My roosters have never had problems with any babies either. Even ones that sneak thru the fence from other pens lol

That being said, it’s iffy with any broody hen. So do your homework and be prepared for any possible outcome.

And oh, they can be fierce when you get near them when they are on eggs. But this may be a good opportunity for you to show her that she can trust you! I have had ones that I was never allowed to touch become very sweet girls after brooding because I helped them and gained their trust.

 

[Lidiapac730]

The rooster is absolutely in love with her, and she also follows him everywhere. I think he will be a good dad, I just heard stories how hard it is to raise serama chicks. I will try to feed her, but so far she doesn't want anything to do with me. So what do I feed them? Is there baby serama food?

 

[Lidiapac730]

 

[Lidiapac730]

I really hope she will hatch a few babies, I just want to be prepared for them, Should I get a heater? what food?

 

[9SpiceyChickens]

Stunning chooks! Once the eggs hatch I would suggest starting with chick food, such as this Purina starter feed. Get a smaller, newer feeder for them, and continue feeding your other chickens normally. Make sure you babies also have a small, low water container.

 

[WVduckchick]

They are lovely!

I use flock raiser crumbles. Momma will break any that are too big for them to eat usually.

3 mommas in this pic. The exchequer on the left beside the feeder has 4 chicks, the black/white upper right has 3, and the buff has 2. There are also several juveniles in there.

 

[9SpiceyChickens]

What I found, with my old chooks, is that if you let mamma raise her chookies then no, but if you raise them then yes. Once they´re about 11 weeks old slowly transition their feed. Good luck with them!