Serama chicken farming is popular in the areas where the breed is available. It is a very small breed of domestic chicken. And it’s smaller size and beautiful appearance are probably the main reasons of high popularity of this breed.
The Serama chicken is an ornamental breed and it is raised mainly for ornamental purpose. It was originated in the Kelantan state of Malaysia within the last 50 years. It is also known as Ayam Serama and Malaysian Serama.
The Serama chicken is the smallest chicken breed in the world, weighting less than 500 grams. It is a true bantam chicken breed and is not standardized yet.
The Serama chicken was created through the crossing of Japanese bantams and some local Malaysian bantams. And the breed was named after the Thai King Raja Sri Rama.
The Serama chicken is a true bantam breed and it is very beautiful. It carries itself erect, because of it’s proud carriage, with an upright tail and protruding breast.
After the development of the Serama chicken breed, it has always been popular as pets and also very popular as an ornamental chicken breed. And they are not only popular in their native place, but also very popular throughout the world.
The Serama chicken breed was first admitted into the American Poultry Association’s Standard of Perfection in 2011.
However, you can start commercial Serama chicken farming business if you can easily sell ornamental birds in your area. The ornamental birds are generally sold at very high price in the market. So you will probably be able to make good profit from commercial Serama chicken farming business.
How to Start Serama Chicken Farming
The Serama chickens are smaller sized birds. But they are relatively strong and hardy. So starting commercial Serama chicken farming business will be relatively easy.
Here we are trying to describe more information about starting and operating a successful Serama chicken farming business from purchasing birds to caring and marketing.
Purchase Chickens
First of all, you have to purchase very good quality, healthy, active and disease free birds for starting your Serama chicken farming business. Purchasing good quality birds is very important, because good birds ensure good production.
You can purchase either mature birds or day old chicks depending on the price and availability in your area. The mature birds are generally sold at a very high price in the market. But the day old chicks are much cheaper. So we recommend starting with day old chicks.
You can purchase the chicks from any of your nearest poultry chick suppliers, chicken breeding centers or existing Serama chicken farms. You can also search your local online classified websites. Just ensure that the chicks are strong and active.
Housing
Arranging a good housing system for your chickens is very important. Because, a good house not only keeps the birds healthy, but also helps them to stay free from all types of predators and adverse weather conditions. So try to make a good, comfortable and secure housing system for your birds.
The type of the house can be any depending on the availability of materials and also on your budget. It can be of full concrete setup or you can build the house with low cost and easily available materials (such as bamboo or wood).
Install good ventilation system while building the house. Good ventilation system helps to remove harmful gases from inside the house, and keeps your birds healthy. Also ensure flow of sufficient amount of fresh air and light inside the house.
Try to build the house in such a way so that you can easily clean the house. The Serama chickens are classed as a bantam breed, so each mature bird will require around 3-4 square feet of housing space. But arranging more housing space will be good, as the Serama chickens are ornamental birds.
Feeding
Feeding the birds with very good quality, healthy and nutritious food is the most important part of Serama chicken farming business. Because good food ensures good health, better growth and maximum production from the birds.
You can feed your chickens either with ready-made/commercial poultry feeds or you can prepare the feeds of your own. Just ensure that the food is good and nutritious for your chickens.
Never feed your chickens with contaminated feeds. And always try to provide them with enough clean and fresh water as per their demand.
The Serama chickens are good for raising in both confinement and free range system. But raising them in free range system will help you to reduce feeding costs. And at the same time it will help to keep the birds healthy and produce more.
Breeding
Like many other domestic chicken breeds, the Serama chickens are also naturally very good breeders. They will breed easily and produce fertile eggs for hatching if you keep good ratio of hens and roosters in your flock.
Generally one healthy rooster is enough for breeding around or up to 10 hens.
Caring
The Serama chickens are smaller sized birds. But they are relatively strong and hardy as compared to their smaller size. So they generally require less caring and other management. But as they are ornamental birds, so taking additional care will be better.
Monitor your bird’s health on a regular basis, and take necessary steps if you notice anything uncommon. Vaccinate them timely and always try to keep good contact with a vet in your area.
Marketing
Marketing chicken products (eggs and meat) is not a problem, because both meat and eggs have good demand and value in the market. But the demand and value of ornamental birds can vary from place to place. So determine your marketing strategies before starting this business.
These are the common ways and steps for starting and operating a successful Serama chicken farming business. Raising the Serama chickens is very easy and simple. Hope this guide has helped you! Good luck & may God bless you!
