Serama Chickens
Keeping Serama Chickens
If you are interested in tiny chickens, serama chickens are the smallest. Their sizes range from 6 to 10 inches and they only weigh a mere 8 to 12 ounces. Serama chickens come in many different colors. There are over 2000 color variations documented for these birds and they are considered the most regal type of bantams. They are expensive chickens and most people keep them as pets.
Caring for a serama chicken might be a bit different from caring for a regular chicken. Since they are so tiny they are more open to an attack from bigger animals like birds of prey or dogs. They also need to be in a warmer climate. They are used to being in temperatures around 80 to 100 degrees. They will become stressed if they are forced to be in temperatures under 40 degrees.
It may be a good idea to find a hatchery that has these types of chickens close to your home. If you are unable to locate them in your area you can find reputable dealers online. Before you purchase your serama chickens, make sure that the dealer offers them at a fair price and check out the background of the pet dealer.
Some people allow their serama chickens to run freely throughout the house. This is probably not a good idea because chickens will eliminate at any time and anywhere. If you do not mind following the chicken around to clean up after it, you will not have a problem. This can also be very unhealthy for you and your family. Instead, you should consider keeping the birds outdoors.
You will need to build a small enclosure. These chickens do not need that much room but make sure they have space to walk around. You can frame in a small enclosure using any type of wood and cover any openings with wire mesh. The wire mesh should be small enough so that the serama chickens cannot escape. You can make an entry way or door with hinges but they must fasten tightly.
Any type of chicken or turkey does not prefer to sleep on the ground. You can make a small shelving or even small separate boxes for the serama chickens to sleep in. If you plan on breeding these chickens, they will lay their eggs in these boxes. They feel more comfortable and away from danger when they are elevated and they will also feel more at ease when their eggs are safe and hidden.
You can line these boxes as well as the enclosure floor with hay. This is a good way to keep elimination and mud away from the chicken’s feet. They will also search through the hay for insects and they may even enjoy eating a bit of it.
These chickens like it hot, so you may want to hang a light from the ceiling of the enclosure. It is best to use the older type of light bulbs because they produce more heat. Hang the light on one end of the enclosure so that the birds can move away from it if it becomes too hot.
When it comes to food and water, serama chickens enjoy the same type of food as other chickens. Chicken feed, chicken crumbles or game bird feed are all acceptable choices. They have specific water holders for chickens and a few should be purchased so that the birds never become dehydrated. Keep the feed and water holders clean at all times.
Pay attention to the birds throughout the day. You will notice the serama chickens squawking and becoming anxious if they are being bothered by another animal. This can also cause them a great deal of stress so place them in an area where they will not become upset.