Serama

Looks how to spot one

Normal smooth feathering; silkie-feathered and frizzled forms also exist

A tiny bird with a very upright, proud stance: a full, forward-thrust breast, a short back, wings held almost vertically near the ground and an upright tail. Smooth-feathered birds are the standard in Malaysia, while silkied forms are popular in America and Europe.13

Personality what they are like

Confident and upright in bearing, yet calm, friendly and easy to handle. Seramas are bred for good nature, enjoy human company and cope well with small, confined housing.13

Daily activity how busy a day looks

Lively and able fliers, but their small size means a compact, secure run or pen covers their exercise needs.3

Grooming and care the hands-on bits

Chickens keep their own feathers in order by preening and dust bathing, so the main jobs are a dry dust-bath area, clean dry bedding, daily flock checks and regular egg collection. Seramas handle heat well but are not cold hardy, so give them warm, draught-free shelter in winter. Hens can lay up to about four small eggs a week.31

Home where they are happiest

A secure, dry, well-ventilated but draught-free coop with perches and nest boxes, plus a fenced run with a patch of dry soil for dust bathing. The RSPCA suggests about 1 m² of indoor space per bird where possible. Their tiny size means a small coop or cage can house them, but it must be kept warm and free of draughts in cold weather.45

Food basics what goes in the bowl

A complete commercial poultry ration is the base: chick starter, then grower, then layer feed once hens begin laying. Provide insoluble grit, oyster shell as extra calcium for laying hens, and constant clean water.45

Company who they like around

Chickens are flock animals that forage, roost and dust bathe together, so keep at least three birds that get along.4

The story where it all began

The Serama was created in Kelantan, Malaysia, from the early 1970s by crossing Japanese bantams with small local Malaysian birds. Breeder Wee Yean Een named it after Sri Rama, a hero of traditional shadow-puppet plays, and it was first exhibited in 1990. Birds reached the UK in 2004 and the US soon after.12

Recognised by the official bits

The Poultry Club of Great Britain

Classed as a true bantam; the Serama Club of Great Britain was recognised in 2008.1

American Poultry Association and American Bantam Association

White variety accepted in April 2011.1