Start out with a pair or hatching eggs?

[SunshineSteedFarm]

Hello,
I am interested in getting into breeding Seramas. I was wondering for a starter ( I have had other breeds of chickens for many years, but not Seramas), should I start out with an adult pair/trio to get me going, or should I start with hatching eggs?

Thank you and have a great day,
SSF

 

[Marlinchaser]

If you can get started birds for a decent price, I would go that route, Eggs seem to have a hard time arriving safely(all eggs do, but Seramas eggs seem to have a harder time) Plus you wont have to wait 21 days either.

 

[Sir Birdaholic]

I'm finally going to get 12 Seramas tomorrow. They are being brought from another state by my boss, & had to be put off for 3 weeks. Now they are on their way!! I am going to breed & try to get all class A or B. I would start with adults. I have been told Serama eggs don't travel or incubate well,although I have never tried it. Whatever you do, GOOD LUCK!!

 

[SunshineSteedFarm]

Thank you both for the quick replies

I have been looking around for a good breeder to buy a pair/trio from in March.

--SSF

 

[usschicago1]

theres a good breeder thats sells in the buy sell trade alot. She has a profile pic of her on a horse i think * maybe you could look into the archives!

 

[hinkjc]

With birds, you have a guarantee of something to start with however you will lack genetic diversity as you progress. With eggs, you have better odds of more genetics, if you can get them to hatch. Good luck.

 

[Chickenaddict]

I started out with a quad which I am glad I did now because one of the roosters is far tooo big. Eggs don't ship well sometimes, I have had good and bad hatches from shipped eggs. I have never had any luck using an incubator for the serama eggs either. All the other breeds hatch just fine but those do not so I use a broody hen, those are never in short supply here lol. It has taken me 2 years of being very picky and buying decent birds instead of culls to get where I am today so be prepared for a long journey. I spent the first year getting to know the breed and trying things out to see how the chicks would turn out then swapping them around a bit and trying again. It's a long process and something that just doesn't happen overnight. Say out of 12 chicks you may have just a few that look promising as far as standards for the breed go.

 

[SunshineSteedFarm]

Thank you for the replies, I think I am going to go with an already started group.

--SSF

 

[catwalk]

Check out BluegrassSeramas (Jessi). She has really good birds. A lot of us on here have purchased from her. Even Jerry has bought birds from her!