About Seramas
My rooster, Brewster.
Seramas are the smallest breed of chicken in the world. They were developed in Malaysia within the last 30 years using many different breeds.Most were imported in 2001 by Jerry Schexnaydor. Over 99% of seramas in america are descended from his birds.Seramas are a landrace which means that they haven't gained acceptance as a breed yet. They only need a small cage because they are so tiny. One of the things seramas are bred for is temperament. They are very personable and enjoy human attention.Most are not very cold hardy and do need protection from the cold. Their feed requirements are no different from any other chicken except that they need less.It takes 5 serama eggs to equal 1 Grade AA Large egg.They are the most popular house pet in Malaysia, outnumbering cats and dogs.Serama eggs take 19 days to hatch, two days less than a normal chicken egg. Seramas do not breed true to color.there are over 2500 documented serama colors.
Here are the size classes of the SCNA standard.
SIZE CLASSES:
1)
MATURE
CATEGORY:
Cocks
A - up to 13 oz (350 gm)
B - up to 16 oz (500 gm)
C - up to 19 oz (600 gm)
Hens
A - up to 11 oz (325 gm)
B - up to 14 oz (425 gm)
C - up to 17 ounces (525 gm)
2) YOUNGSTERS:
Cockerels – One Class Only
Up to 16 oz (500 gm)
Pullets – One Class Only
Up to 14 ounces (425 gm)
Here is the standard, taken from the SCNA website:
Shape of the
Male
Comb:
Single, medium, set firmly and evenly on head,
straight and upright, evenly serrated with five regular and
distinct points, the middle points the same length as the width of
the blade, moderately arched, blade should extend well over back of
head.
Beak:
Strong, stout and well curved.
Face:
Small, rounded, smooth, fine in texture, free from
wrinkle or folds.
Eyes:
Round, conspicuous.
Wattles:
Medium, round, fine in texture, free from wrinkles
or folds.
Ear Lobes:
Small, oval, fitting closely to the head.
Head:
Small, carried well back in a proud manner.
Neck:
Medium length, backward arched, showing off breast,
full, tapering gracefully from shoulders to head.
Hackle:
Abundant, flowing naturally from front of neck
reaching far back covering both shoulders.
Back:
Short, broad, in profile, shaped like a 'V' with neck
and tail forming the vertical sides.
Tail Coverts & Saddle:
Slightly curved, sword shaped
hanging over the abdomen and covering back, widely spread,
overlapping the tail and lesser sickles.
Tail:
Moderately large and upright, carried in an upright
position so as to almost contact the back of head.
Main Tail:
Feathers wide, moderately spread in a neatly
overlapping manner, rising above the head, “A” shaped
from the rear view.
Main Sickles:
Medium to long, strong, firm, broad
sword-shaped slightly curved.
Lesser Sickles:
Well-spread, medium length slightly upright,
sword-shaped sickle feathers covered with coverts.
Coverts:
Abundant, becoming very broad, flowing well up
tail.
Wings:
Large, long, closely folded, carried vertically not
quite touching the ground, Shoulders and Fronts: Prominent,
slightly concealed by hackle.
Bows:
Well rounded.
Coverts
: Feathers broad, forming two distinct bars across
wings.
Primaries:
Moderate width, rather long, completely concealed
by secondaries.
Secondaries:
Broad, tapering convexly to rear, wing bay well
exposed.
Breast:
Highly lifted, well developed, full, carried
prominently forward beyond the vertical line drawn from point of
beak, broad and well rounded, from head to neck to breast – S
shaped profile.
Body & Stern:
Body- short, good depth and width, sloping
from front to rear. Stern: Fluff, short, abundant.
Legs & Toes:
Legs- average length, widely set, parallel
to each other without bowing or knocked knees, well proportioned.
Lower Thighs:
Medium, stout at top and tapering to hocks.
Shanks:
Medium, smooth, round, evenly scaled.
Toes:
Four, straight, well and evenly spread, evenly
scaled.
Appearance:
Small, broad, compact, active, tame, standing up
majestically.
Shape of the FemaleComb:
Single, small, set firmly and evenly on the head,
straight and upright, evenly serrated with five regular and
distinct points, the middle points the same length as the width of
the blade, moderately arched, blade should extend well over the
back of the head.
Beak:
Strong, stout, and well curved.
Face:
Small, rounded, smooth, fine in texture, free from
wrinkle or folds.
Eyes:
Round, conspicuous.
Wattles:
Small, round, fine in texture, free from wrinkles
or folds.
Ear Lobes:
Small, oval, fitting closely to head.
Head:
Small, carried well back in proud manner.
Neck:
Medium length, backward arched showing off breast,
full, tapering gracefully from shoulders to head.
Hackle:
Abundant, flowing naturally from front of neck
reaching far back covering both shoulders.
Back:
Short, broad, in profile, shaped like a V with neck and tail forming the vertical sides.
Cushion:
Short, feathers broad and plentiful.
Tail:
Moderately large and upright, carried in an upright
position so as to almost contact the back of head.
Main Tail:
Feathers wide, moderately spread in a neatly
overlapping manner, rising above the head, “A” shaped
from the rear view.
Coverts:
Abundant, becoming very broad, flowing well up
tail.
Wings:
Large, long, closely folded, carried vertically not
quite touching the ground, Shoulders and Fronts: Prominent,
slightly concealed by hackle.
Bows:
Well rounded.
Coverts:
Feathers broad, forming two distinct bars across
wings.
Primaries:
Moderate width, rather long, completely concealed
by secondaries.
Secondaries:
Broad, tapering convexly to rear, wing bay well
exposed.
Breast:
Highly lifted, well developed, full, carried
prominently forward beyond vertical line drawn from point of beak,
broad and well rounded, from head to neck to breast – S
shaped profile.
Body & Stern:
Body- short, good depth and width, sloping
from front to rear. Stern: Fluff, short, abundant.
Legs & Toes:
Legs- average length -- widely set,
parallel to each other without bowing or knock
ed knees, well proportioned.
Lower Thighs:
Medium, stout at top and tapering to hocks.
Shanks:
Medium, smooth, round, evenly scaled.
Toes:
Four, straight, well and evenly spread, evenly
scaled.
Appearance:
Small, broad, compact, active, tame, standing up
majestically
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Male Standard Drawing
by Catherine Stanevich
These
drawings
shows the ideal form of the American Serama male
and female.
They represent the
type breeders should consider as their
main goal and what they should be working
towards. The breast is very large and somewhat exaggerated in this
drawing to stress the importance of it. The head and tail are shown
touching. This is described as
“in pose>” and shows an extreme amount
of reach, with full large breast,
and head and tail touching. Note that the wing is
not touching the ground. This is very important. The wing should
clear the ground and allow a small amount of the foot to show. This
will keep the wings clean and from being tattered
because they are longer
than the foot. A medium length leg is essential to
achieve this wing
carriage, as the short legs allow the wing to drag. In selecting
birds for your
breeding plans and pens
, remember to select toward these points of form. The males
will be easier to breed into this form, as it is more
natural for them.
The females are further from this idea at this time and will take
longer to select to this level. By selecting height, breast, and
reach-in-pose on the hens, while still keeping soundness and
reproducibility in mind; we can produce this form without hurting
the breed.
Female Standard
Drawing
by Catherine
Stanevich
