What's a fair price for Serama chicks?

[catwalk]

To paraphrase a familiar quote from a guy that really knows his Seramas, "your bird, your time, your dollar." The fact that you are asking here tells that you are uncomfortable with the price. Ask to see older chicks from those parents, maybe references. Buying any chick for show purposes is a risk, but you want to minimize that risk by knowing a little about what you are getting into. Good luck!

 

[tiki244]

You wont really know how good they are till closer to 9 months old. I personally wouldnt sell seramas chicks for more than $5 each. I suppose if its a very established breeder that might be worth something, but seramas are still a land race and can vary quite considerably when they grow up.

 

[BluegrassSeramas]

I just wanted to ad that there ARE breeders out there who I would happily give 35 bucks for a day-old chick (if given the chance!) ....... but I keep up with the breeder and what they are producing and know what my money is going for.

Even if the chick grew up not to be SQ, I would definitely be happy to have a decent bird from that line to try crossing with my own and see if I could get any good genes out of it by record keeping and regulated breedings etc.

If I were just getting a start in Seramas...I would look for (the best could afford) started birds. Then you can hatch out your own!

 

[kathyinmo]

Would you pay:
3-4 week old ones right now for $35 each. 5 - 6 weeks old are $40 - $45 each, that are the Champion Lines A & B???
from ~ www.TommysPetParadise.com

 

[TommyVT05]

Hello All

,

Basically establishing a "basic price" is always different from certain states; How they are bred, how much amount of work you put in them, etc. all accounts to their price. I work basically with three breeds in total. The American Onagadori, the Red Junglefowls and the Champion Malaysian Serama. With that being said, breeders call that "specific" breeding in which quality birds are produced more often because you have a narrow focus rather than raising 10 different breeds and trying to breed them all.

As for the prices - even $20 - $50 a chick regardless of month - is not a bad price at all given that once they past their 1st month of age, shipping them is 99.9% safe and survivability is really high so who would want to take the chance of selling Class A or small Bs for just $5 - $20, like stated, from Champion A / B Serama breeders? Those "chicks" would be worth around $100 - $175 full grown and from 1 month to full grown is basically just another 3-4 months.

What to consider is:

1.) LOCALLY, how much are they worth?
So breeders have to sell them at a price their town/city sells them for and how rare are they there in town? For an example, here in San Diego, even at feedstores, if any, carries the Serama chickens, they sell them for a whopping $70 - $85 a pair when they are only 1-2 months old and their source is even unknow!!! Regardless of parents and such.

With that being said, its only fair to sell chicks at $35 each for 3-4 weeks old and $40 - $45 for 5-6 weeks old with parents KNOWN to be Champion Lines from the A/B Class and are valued at $350...

2.) EVERY BREEDER has their own taste. They give out a price from what they know and see in their line. They give out a price that best fits THEIR demand for the amount of work they put in and if that matches the buyers needs (i.e. "financially") then they will go for it. If not, perhaps its better to get more "average" quality ones to work with first and wait until they get into the "higher grade" (i.e. more costly ones) if you will, for breeding...
A price that is given does not mean "here it is, buy it or not", but rather gives a general idea of what is being offered. Simple and easy to understand.

I wouldn't imagine breeders out there who spends $300 + on their birds and end up selling chicks, if they ever do, for just $5 - $10 each. Also, I couldn't imagine breeders selling chicks for $20 - $25 each from Seramas they bought at hatcheries or feedstores.

Anyhow, in conclusion, its never wrong to ask around for pricing and get what fits "your need" BUT keeping those two details I mentioned above while searching for a Serama or whatever it is, is a must.

Good Luck! : )

- Tommy

PS: I normally don't sell my chicks shipped anyhow and the ones I have - from the feedbacks I have gotten - turn out to be very good quality ones. Mostly As or small Bs and even a few Micros here and there. I have referrences ready if needed. I am happy with that turnout so I can't sell for cheaper, unless of course, its for a 4-H project or something related to the community and you can show proof of that then I will give a discount for those causes.

I have sold chicks for basically the price of feed and cost to raise them for senior homes, recovery centers, learning and development centers, etc.

 

[BluegrassSeramas]

Quote:
Uh, Not the breeder I was talking about......

Wow...CA has seramas at feed stores, hatcheries and retirement homes... Im moving!

 

[TommyVT05]

Haha,

Not in San Diego, even though some have. Its mainly other places that called to order for those reasons : )

- Tommy

 

[SeramaLife]

Quote:
Hatcheries?

 

[TommyVT05]

Yes,

If you search for Seramas online. I am sure you will come upon some small "hatcheries" that carries them. But then, they look more like OE Bantams than Seramas to me. Haha

- Tommy

Ondra's Seramas :

Quote:
Hatcheries?​

 

[YB192004]

Guess I was looking for those little serama in the wrong place back then....

I ended up have to order a pair from out of state and paid 60 bucks for shipping.