Should I get a serema?

[MillersFarm]

I have to disagree with the heat. Unless silkied seramas can fair quite well in cold temps. So long as your coop is insulated well. It gets down to negative 18+ where I live and I've never lost a serama since. Although I do like to keep Vaseline on their Combs to avoid frostbite problems..

 

[Fishkeeper]

Rats may be an issue. You should also give them some things to climb outside so they have stuff to do.

 

[NNYchick]

I have to disagree with the heat. Unless silkied seramas can fair quite well in cold temps. So long as your coop is insulated well. It gets down to negative 18+ where I live and I've never lost a serama since. Although I do like to keep Vaseline on their Combs to avoid frostbite problems..

@MillersFarm I just recently got serama and I do not heat my coop. Right now I have them in the house in quarantine in an unheated bedroom with the window open it is in the high 40's in there. I have been researching heat as I keep getting mixed answers on my research (not uncommon as I had the same issue with my silkies and have seen with my own eyes they do well without heat even in negative temps). I am wondering because we are not all that far from each other and I too get double digits neg temps. Do you add heat lamp or heat panel at all in your coop and how cold does your coop get?[/QUOTE]

 

[MillersFarm]

@MillersFarm I just recently got serama and I do not heat my coop. Right now I have them in the house in quarantine in an unheated bedroom with the window open it is in the high 40's in there. I have been researching heat as I keep getting mixed answers on my research (not uncommon as I had the same issue with my silkies and have seen with my own eyes they do well without heat even in negative temps). I am wondering because we are not all that far from each other and I too get double digits neg temps. Do you add heat lamp or heat panel at all in your coop and how cold does your coop get?

[/QUOTE]
double digit neg temps can be pretty hard on seramas, I supply them with extra bedding (Straw) And a well-insulated coop. Do you have pics of your set-up? I've never given any of my birds heat during the winter and it has gotten well below negative. If you do though feel the need to you can supply them with a heat source during the night. I would suggest using a heated roosting bar like this https://www.amazon.com/Pet-Products...ocphy=1023159&hvtargid=pla-308541879490&psc=1

 

[NNYchick]

double digit neg temps can be pretty hard on seramas, I supply them with extra bedding (Straw) And a well-insulated coop. Do you have pics of your set-up? I've never given any of my birds heat during the winter and it has gotten well below negative. If you do though feel the need to you can supply them with a heat source during the night. I would suggest using a heated roosting bar like this https://www.amazon.com/Pet-Products...ocphy=1023159&hvtargid=pla-308541879490&psc=1[/QUOTE]
My coop is not insulated 28’x8ft, no drafts blow through, covered and deep bedding and an open area in the middle section that is 2’x16’ for ventilation. It really does get much warmer in there than the outside temperatures except for no windchill. For example on thanksgiving we were -10 outside because of wind chill but 0 degrees in the coop. I guess what I’m wondering is you said your Seramas were in the coop at -18 degrees and did fine, you don’t heat your coop but do did you have to give them a warming spot? I won’t use a metal heat lamp but the alternatives are so expensive. I looked at the prima heat lamp but jeez it’s $87 after you add bulbs and shipping and it only warms a 1 ft radius.

 

[MillersFarm]

double digit neg temps can be pretty hard on seramas, I supply them with extra bedding (Straw) And a well-insulated coop. Do you have pics of your set-up? I've never given any of my birds heat during the winter and it has gotten well below negative. If you do though feel the need to you can supply them with a heat source during the night. I would suggest using a heated roosting bar like this https://www.amazon.com/Pet-Products...ocphy=1023159&hvtargid=pla-308541879490&psc=1

My coop is not insulated 28’x8ft, no drafts blow through, covered and deep bedding and an open area in the middle section that is 2’x16’ for ventilation. It really does get much warmer in there than the outside temperatures except for no windchill. For example on thanksgiving we were -10 outside because of wind chill but 0 degrees in the coop. I guess what I’m wondering is you said your Seramas were in the coop at -18 degrees and did fine, you don’t heat your coop but do did you have to give them a warming spot? I won’t use a metal heat lamp but the alternatives are so expensive. I looked at the prima heat lamp but jeez it’s $87 after you add bulbs and shipping and it only warms a 1 ft radius.[/QUOTE]
That's a really nice coop. I guess I should of been more clear, Out-side (With wind chill) was -18 Fahrenheit. Inside the coop was just above negative numbers.
They have an area where they can sort-of go outside attached to the coop, It has wind breaks but they don't use it on really cold days, On warmer days though (like in the teens or low 20s) i'll see them out sunbathing or scratching around in the straw, But besides that no, I don't give them a warming spot

Will you be housing your silkies and seramas together?

 

[NNYchick]

Yes I’ll have them together. I will have higher roost for the serama to get up too if Silkie boys harass them. Where I got them the breeder had Silkies with the serama with no issues.
The silkies don't go out once snow is on the ground, that is why I went so large and didn't do a regular run because there is more of the year with snow on the ground than without. I do let them out on the yard in the summer when we are home and supervise.