Bantam breed
Serama
Also called American Serama, Ayam Serama
The Serama, from Malaysia, is among the smallest chickens in the world, with an upright, chesty posture. Hens lay tiny eggs year-round and are good mothers. As a tropical bird it is usually kept warm in winter, and many are kept as caged or indoor pets.
At a glance
4eggs a week
16–22weeks to first egg
Smallegg size
Traits
- Cold hardylow
- Heat toleranthigh
- Goes broodyhigh
- Fine in a small runhigh
- Egg colour
- cream or tinted; shells range from white to deep brown
- Temperament
- docile, friendly, showy
- Origin
- Malaysia (Kelantan)
- Comb
- single
- Bantam size
- Bantam only
- APA standard
- Recognized
- Purpose
- ornamental, pet
Good for
- very small spaces
- pets
- warm climates
Watch out for
- tiny and vulnerable to predators
- needs protection in cold weather (sources disagree on how much)
- does not breed true to size or color
Looks and feathers
Among the smallest chicken breeds; upright posture, vertical wings and tail. Does not breed true to color or size. Show weight classes (SCNA Class A/B/C) are used; Class A hens are under 10 oz. APA list: Serama (American), White, bantam.
Our drawing shows the most common US variety; colours vary.
Similar breeds
All breedsSources
- 1Accepted Breeds & VarietiesAmerican Poultry Association
- 2Serama Chickens: Good Things in Small PackagesBackyard Poultry Magazine
- 3Serama (breed page)My Pet Chicken
- 45 Bantam Breeds that Tolerate Warm WeatherCackle Hatchery (blog)
Hatcheries often disagree on eggs a year; ranges span every source we read. How we check the facts.