Raising Seramas

[chickenzoo]

I live in Fl so mine stay outside, but it has gotten pretty cold here. If it goes below 29 I turn on the heat lamps.

 

[therealsilkiechick]

i live in pa and mine have been out all winter with no lights and no insulated coops down to -20 degrees with no problems. if u hatch em or get them in spring so they can adjust all year before winter they will be fine. only thing i have a prob with is frostbite on tips of combs/waddles on some of the roos so keep an eye on that if u do have outside and use vasiline. body heat in #'s and deep litter method bedding is all mine have used for heat all winter, they r tough little cookies.

 

[mylilchix]

This is awesome!! Thank you. My plan is to get a pair sometime this summer. I think the breed is beautiful. You've been a big help to how to care for them. Can't wait!!

Sonja

 

[Buck Creek Chickens]

My serama also don't get any extra heat I've never had a problem. They are not as fragile as most think.

 

[mylilchix]

Buck Creek, how cold has it been near you. The Denver area has had extended fall this year (no real winter), so our temps have maybe dipped below 0 once or twice. Coldest it usually gets here at 8500ft. is single digits.

Thanks, Sonja

 

[Buck Creek Chickens]

-14 was the coldest we had, until a week or so ago is been in the single digits and below 0 at night. I almost lost my Fawn silver duckwing OE to the weather (he in the house now) but the serama don't seem to mind.

 

[mylilchix]

That's amazing, everything I've read says they can't tolearate cold. They must be more adaptable than we realize. It rarely gets that cold here. It does seem to stay 10 degrees warmer in our coop than outdoors though.

Sonja

 

[Buck Creek Chickens]

I just mke sure they have unfrozen water all the time, most of my hens start to lay well ( some never quit) in nov. dec, I've got 2 broody right now, even though it so cold. Heat wave today +32.

 

[citalk2much]

Great info everyone I am getting a pair and have been doing the what to house them in inside. BYC rocks so many helpful people

 

[BluegrassSeramas]

I have had the same results as therealsilkiechick.
I wouldnt really call Serama delicate. Mine are in a large concrete building all winter with no heat source. They do fine. I just have to watch for the roos combs and then I use vaseline. They get acclimated to the weather if they are allowed to be out in it that year. They just have to stay dry like all other animals.
My chicks are small and most of my birds are smaller B class birds so far and I have not had to blend up the chick crumbles for them to eat.
I do keep the chicks in the house in a plastic bottom rabbit cage when brooding. When they get feathers I send them outside in the day and bring them in to a non-heated room at night so that they dont get sick from too much temp changes. I use rabbit hutches for breeder pens and they have plenty of room.They are just as tough as the other birds, I think.