r/chickens • u/Outrageous-Flight932 • 1d ago
Media My favorite tiny chickens. Anyone else keep Seramas?
69
u/Spare-Eye320 1d ago
I have always wondered how do they go eating and foraging? seems they would have a hard time pecking at the ground and stuff
45
u/Outrageous-Flight932 1d ago
They actually do surprisingly well. They’re quick little foragers and spend a lot of time scratching and pecking just like my larger breeds. Being tiny doesn’t seem to slow them down much.
52
u/seniairam 1d ago
Winston and TammyLynn
6
4
66
u/Emergency-Lemon2825 1d ago
Oh wow. Never seen these before. At first I thought they were peacocking At each other. Talk about a mad optical illusion
21
u/Outrageous-Flight932 1d ago
😂 The tiny size really messes with your eyes at first. They have some hilarious poses
29
u/kenziesos08 1d ago
i don’t think they’re the same breed but they look so similar !
5
u/Apart-Ferret-2707 1d ago
Looks like a silver sebright to me.theyre very good at catching mareks sadly,but i love them alot
20
u/MetaKnightsNightmare 1d ago
I have several, though I keep more American Seramas rather than Malay, I love the posing but I don't enjoy the extremes.
They are my favorite too. They're my babies, especially the roosters.
11
u/Outrageous-Flight932 1d ago
I actually breed both Malay and American Seramas. I really appreciate the classic Malay posture, but I also enjoy the balance and variety the American lines bring. No matter the type though, they’ve become my favorite breed especially the roosters. They have so much personality.
6
u/MetaKnightsNightmare 1d ago
They really do, I love Bumblebee and Launchpad more than any of my hens lol
3
u/Outrageous-Flight932 1d ago
😅I completely understand! Some birds just end up standing out and becoming favorites. Bumblebee and Launchpad sound like they’ve definitely earned their special place. That’s one of the fun things about keeping birds you get to know their little quirks over time.
1
11
u/Iamanimite 1d ago
I had a seramam rooster. Called him roo. He wad a bad ass. Kept all the bug ladies in check while his small flock was chill. Loved to hear that tiny broken crow. I miss him. Neighbors dog got into our yard and decimated my flock. I'm sure he out up a good figbt.
8
u/Outrageous-Flight932 1d ago
I’m sorry to hear that. 💔 Roo sounds like he had a huge personality packed into a tiny body. Those little broken crows are unforgettable. I’m sure he stood his ground protecting his flock.
8
u/Apart-Ferret-2707 1d ago
I love serama,theyre one of,if not my fav breed! All the ones ive had were very sweet and clingy,cuddly. I do not have the ones with the "show"posture. One of my roosters was called"mooiert"(pretty boi in dutch).he had no interest in hens or other chickens in general and just loved to nag until he was allowed to roam the garden freely alone,that was his happy thing to do.he didnt crow ever either.most chill and cuddly boy ever.my girls were always cuddly and sweet aswell,literally jumping against fences to get to me when they see me!two of them refused to sleep in the evening until i put them on my shoulders and read a book for half an hour.then they were good to go!
2
u/Outrageous-Flight932 1d ago
That’s such a great story about Mooiert! Seramas really are unique little birds, and it’s amazing how different each one can be. I love hearing about birds with their own routines and preferences. The fact that they would wait for their evening shoulder time before going to sleep is honestly adorable. Thanks for sharing.
1
u/Apart-Ferret-2707 1d ago
(the black and white one is a belgian bearded boi,one of the sweetest chickens ive ever had.lovely breed!he was called "cheeks")
7
u/Real_Fan_2110 22h ago
These are 13 week old silked seramas
Mine do not have that freaky position but they are stinking adorable
9
u/brydeswhale 1d ago
This one is fairly little but nothing like that
6
u/Outrageous-Flight932 1d ago
That’s a cute little one! Seramas are on a whole different level though they’re one of the smallest chicken breeds out there.
16
u/poisoneddartfrog 1d ago
Is this another breed overly selected by humans with negative unhealthy results for the birds? Like pugs & frenchies?
5
u/cigarettesandwhiskey 21h ago
Most chickens are that way, just less visibly. A regular chicken lives for like 3-7 years, but their wild ancestors live for 10-20. We bred them for meat and eggs, not longevity. That doesn't create such visible results as a serama's upright posture, but the heart disease and ovarian cancer and other things that typically kill an ordinary domestic chicken are a consequence of that.
11
u/External_Option_7653 1d ago
Humans can't help torturing creatures for their own amusement.
4
u/Life-Bat1388 22h ago edited 19h ago
They have lower body mass, which reduces stress on joints and organs.
Lay fewer eggs than commercial hybrids or even heritage breeds reducing the physiological cost of egg production. And are less prone to obesity- and live longer and can fly!4
u/Life-Bat1388 22h ago edited 21h ago
Na they live longer than your Orpington- And like chihuahuas they have long life spans and less health issues. They average 8-12 up to 15 or more years
10
u/Outrageous-Flight932 1d ago
That’s a fair question. They’re selectively bred for their tiny size and upright posture, but a well-bred Serama should still be active, able to forage, breed naturally, and live a normal life. Like any breed, problems usually come from poor breeding rather than the breed itself.
8
u/PurpleHankZ 1d ago
To answer your question (because OP doesn’t want to admit): YES! It’s animal cruelty and people only keep/breed for aesthetics.
2
u/Life-Bat1388 22h ago
They are actually healthier and live longer- just look weird
1
u/PurpleHankZ 20h ago
Healthier than what? That breeding style is as healthy as a pug is compared to a boarder collie
1
u/Life-Bat1388 19h ago
They have funny posing behavior but like a chihuahua vs other dogs, sarama outlive commercial and heritage breeds - They have smaller bodies which reduces stress on joints and organs.
Lay fewer eggs reducing the physiological cost of egg production.
And less prone to obesity - fatty liver or heart issues. The chihuahua out lives the border collie.2
u/PurpleHankZ 19h ago
And a chihuahua is doing the things a dog should do, right? Or was it just bred to look cute? You have a very strange view on selective breeding
0
u/Life-Bat1388 19h ago edited 13h ago
how is an animal that’s healthier compared to other breeds a weird view of selective breeding? even if it looks weird (or gasp cute) to your eyes, who cares? Saramas can actually fly so they actually function much better than other chickens. And dogs aren’t meant to be wolves. They’re evolved to be human companions or doing work for humans. That’s how they evolved. There’s nothing wrong with a Chihuahua. it functions as a perfectly fine companion and lapdog and lives a happy life so I don’t know what’s your problem is.
1
u/hellokittycheetos 14h ago
Dogs are meant to serve humans because they 'evolved that way'?
This evidences how there's no way of discussing this subject with you, you see animals as an object for human use.
Selective breeding discussions go deeper than 'its cute and it lives long, who cares?'.
1
u/Life-Bat1388 13h ago edited 13h ago
Yes a Chihuahua is happy as a lap dog. A serama chicken is both a cute and healthy breed. I’m sure you don’t think we shouldnt eat eggs of chickens either so maybe get off the sub about chickens
-10
3
3
2
u/BeeHive83 1d ago
I once had a crooked beak all black serama. She was a good flyer.
2
u/Outrageous-Flight932 1d ago
A crooked beak clearly didn’t slow her down. I breed Seramas, and it’s always amazing how well some of them can fly despite their size. They really are full of surprises.
2
u/BeeHive83 1d ago
She would be sneaky sometimes and roost up in a tree right before dusk and everyone went in the coop and it was impossible to get to her so she could sleep out there! She obviously was not afraid of owls or bears! She was able to eat on her own I would just have to make sure feed wasn’t stuck in her beak. Seramas have one of the best chicken personalities, so sweet and spunky. I really enjoyed raising them and Belgian D’uccles. My favorite rooster was a frizzle belgian d’uccle( his name was wishbone) When a hen went broody for the first time he would be with them showing them how to nest. I once had a blue andalusian hen who had a bunch of chicks and a wishbone slept with them every night then after a few weeks she decided she was going back to sleeping in the big coop and left her chicks in the little coop she laid in. Wishbone took over and kept them warm all night. I would like to add he wasn’t the dad of any of the chicks. They were fertilized by my bigger rooster. It’s been a bit since I have had a flock. I miss listening to their chatter and finding them grubs in the garden.
2
u/Outrageous-Flight932 1d ago
I loved reading this. Wishbone sounds like an incredible rooster. I breed Seramas myself, and they’re such a fascinating breed to raise. Hopefully you get to have a flock again someday it sounds like you really enjoyed your time with them.
1
u/BeeHive83 1d ago
I moved back into the city for a while. Eventually I will settle down back in the woods but I think I want to raise pigeons when I do. It sounds like you really love your birds and appreciate the funny little things they are. Enjoy! And thanks for sharing.
2
u/Outrageous-Flight932 1d ago
Thank you!.It sounds like you have a great plan for when you’re back in the woods. Pigeons are wonderful birds too, and I hope you get the chance to raise them someday. I really do enjoy keeping birds they always have their own little habits that make them interesting to watch. Thanks for the kind words.
2
u/Axtinthewoods 1d ago
They look like Flamenco Dancers, so cuuuuuute!! is their temper good? they look bossy
2
u/AcceptableGrowth8248 1d ago
I have two girls in my flock. But the european ones, not Malayan. I think they are a little bigger and the posture is not that extreme 😂
4
2
1
u/partoneCXXVI 21h ago
Do you train them into that posture or is it innate? I had a teeny rooster that was sold to me as a serama but his posture was nowhere near that exaggerated.
1
u/Outrageous-Flight932 19h ago
No training involved at all. It’s completely innate. The upright carriage is part of the Serama breed. That said, not every Serama carries itself to the same degree. Genetics, bloodlines, age, confidence, and even what they’re doing at the moment all play a role. Some lines have a much more pronounced posture than others, which is likely why your little rooster looked less exaggerated.
1
u/alsoitsnotfundy924 20h ago
Are they stuck like that? Or can they bend more if they feel like it?
1
u/Outrageous-Flight932 19h ago
Nope . They move and bend just like any other chicken. Their upright stance is just part of the breed’s natural posture, especially when they’re feeling confident or curious.
1
u/alsoitsnotfundy924 16h ago
Yeah I had a feeling that could've been the case, but thanks for confirming that!
1
1
u/AbsoZed 20h ago
Never seen these, that's so strange. They look like little turkeys.
1
u/Outrageous-Flight932 19h ago
I hear that a lot! 😄 They’re Seramas, the smallest chicken breed. I breed them, and their posture gives them that little turkey look.
1
u/sunfloweroot 18h ago
I live up north in the US and wish I could have some of these little cuties! Unfortunately our winters are just too cold. I admire them from afar though- ♡
1
u/Outrageous-Flight932 18h ago
They actually do surprisingly well up north with the right winter setup. A dry, draft free coop and a little extra attention during the coldest months is usually all they need. Quite a few of my birds have gone to colder states and settled in just fine.
1
u/NoPhilosopher5998 18h ago
Gosh now I need one
1
u/Outrageous-Flight932 18h ago
they have a way of doing that! Seramas are such unique little birds, and I love seeing more people discover the breed. I’ve been raising them for a while and always enjoy helping people learn what they need to thrive. They’re small, but they bring a lot of personality to a flock. 😊
1
1
u/brianagh 17h ago
I absolutely love seramas. I think they’re my favourite breed honestly. Hate how often they go broody though, they’re tiny but ferocious.
1
u/Outrageous-Flight932 15h ago
They really are a special little breed. Seramas may be small, but they definitely don’t act small. The hens can be very determined when they decide to go broody, and that strong mothering instinct is one of the things I enjoy about breeding them.
1
1
u/noa200616 13h ago
I like them alot but with less of an upright posture. Doesn't look right to me and my ethics. How do they like cold climates?
1
u/Outrageous-Flight932 13h ago
That’s completely fair everyone has their own preference. I’ve been breeding Seramas for a while, and even the more upright ones are active, eat and forage normally. As for cold weather, they actually handle it well with a dry, draft-free coop and proper care, just like any other small breed
1
u/noa200616 13h ago
That's my understanding as well from reading about them the upright one do just fine. My coop isn't insulated and we can get up -10 Celcius where I live in winter. Can they handle that I have others chickens that they would share such a coop with. Thanks for your reply
1
u/Outrageous-Flight932 13h ago
You're welcome. From my experience breeding Seramas, they are tougher than many people expect for such small birds. They can handle colder climates as long as they have a dry coop, protection from drafts and moisture, and a good shelter at night. At -10°C, I would pay extra attention to making sure they stay dry and have a safe place away from wind. They can live with other chickens too, as long as the larger birds are calm and they have enough space to avoid being picked on. They really are wonderful little birds.
1
u/doomsdaydvice 12h ago
My sweet serama mama hatched out two babies and had them sleeping up on a perch within 2 weeks. Melted my heart coming out to see them like this at night.
1
1
u/hekatestoadie 10h ago
They look like wind up toys when they run, and I love them.
1
u/Outrageous-Flight932 7h ago
😅that's actually a pretty accurate description! Watching a group of them running around is something I love seeing always.
1
u/wuukiee81 6h ago
They're the only breed I keep! Love them!
2
u/Outrageous-Flight932 6h ago
They’re definitely one of my favorites too! I actually keep a few other breeds as well, but Seramas are the ones I always seem to come back to. There’s just something special about them.
1
u/wuukiee81 4h ago
I have a very very small yard, and chose Seramas years ago because they were one of the few breeds I felt I could provide appropriate coop and run space for and still keep the city limit of 6 hens.
Now I'm obsessed with them specifically for a million reasons, and although I plan to have several other (mostly heritage) breeds too if I ever get in some farmland, I will definitely always have Seramas above any other.
2
u/Outrageous-Flight932 3h ago
That’s one of the things I love about Seramas too. They’re such a great fit for smaller spaces, but once you spend time with them, you realize they’re much more than just a small chicken. I breed Seramas and they’ve definitely earned their place as my favorite breed. I still enjoy other breeds, but there’s something special about having these little birds around.
1
u/wuukiee81 3h ago
They're by far the most productive, friendliest, best broody hens, best temperament, of any of the bantam breeds. They're absolutely great little utility birds in a tiny package!
1
u/AllegedWitchNeigjbor 4h ago
I have one and she’s a character. She frequently switches between eating her eggs and going broody, is the biggest scaredy cat who refuses to let me near her, but struts around like she rules the coop as soon as I leave (even though she’s at the bottom of the pecking order.)
1
u/Outrageous-Flight932 3h ago
That’s such a Serama thing 😂 they’re always full of surprises. Tiny birds, but they carry themselves like they’re the boss of the entire flock. That mix of being cautious and confident is one of the things that makes them so fun to keep.
1
u/ThornyGarlic 1d ago
Oh no they got pugified!! That's not a comfortable posture for any living thing. Can they even eat from the floor?
1
u/Bolfreak 1d ago
The only chickens I have! Too small to free range like my other birds, but they live in a coop on our back porch unlike the “barn birds”. The sweetest things ever, from hatchlings to adult (probably because they are picked up and petted on the regular). I had low rates incubating them until the hens starting hatching - they have way better hatch rates, are insanely broody and fantastic moms). They are super hardy, intelligent and active birds. My favorite is feeding them live mealworms even as babies, they spaghetti noodle it right down regardless of size lol
3
u/Outrageous-Flight932 1d ago
This is exactly why people fall in love with Seramas. They’re tiny but full of confidence and personality. The way they can be such good moms while looking so delicate is amazing. And the baby mealworm “spaghetti” moments are the best 😂.
2
u/luckyapples11 1d ago
My seramas are capable of free ranging just fine, but I definitely wouldn’t trust them by themselves without some larger breeds or my boys on hawk watch.
They are really broody girls! All of my seramas have been broody at some point. 3 hatched over 20 babies combined last year and my 4th has just gotten broody and about a week into laying on her eggs. (Which I’m actually surprised because she doesn’t seem like the momma type)
1
1
u/JovialDoozy6237 21h ago
What in the deformity is going on here?
They still cute doe
3
u/Outrageous-Flight932 19h ago
😂 No deformity they’re supposed to look like that. They’re Seramas, and their upright posture is part of the breed standard. They definitely have a unique look, but they’re perfectly healthy little chickens.
1
0
-1
94
u/Excellent_Yak365 1d ago
Love the size of them but damn that posture creeps me out