Standards and Judging
AMERICAN SERAMA TYPE STANDARD
(As it appears in the SCNA Website)
SCNA WEIGHT STANDARD adopted 5/24/08
The Serama Council of North America (SCNA) Standard of Perfection
calls
for the following acceptable weights based on our pending ABA proposal
for acceptance.
Cocks –16 ounces with a 20% variable either way, or
12.8 to 19.2 oz (358-537 gm), without disqualification
Hens - 14 ounces with a 20% variable either way, or
11.3 to 16.8 oz (313-470 gm), without disqualification
Cockerels - 14 ounces with a 20% variable either way, or
11.2 to 16.8 oz (313-470 gm), without disqualification
Pullets - 12 ounces with a 20% variable either way, or
9.6 to 14.4 oz (368 to 403 gm), without disqualification
Serama would be entered either as a Cock, Hen, Cockerel, or Pullet, at
all combined ABA/APA sanctioned
(In-Cage Judging) Shows and SCNA Tabletop Shows.
SCNA, Stand-Alone (Tabletop) Shows, will observe the A, B & C
classifications for both Cocks and Hens, along with a Cockerel and a
Pullet Class. Acceptable weights will be as taken with no weight
variation.
SIZE CLASSES:
1) MATURE CATEGORY:
Cocks
A - up to 13 oz (350 gm)
B - up to 16 oz (500 gm)
C - up to 19 oz (600 gm)
Hens
A - up to 11 oz (325 gm)
B - up to 14 oz (425 gm)
C - up to 17 ounces (525 gm)
2) YOUNGSTERS:
Cockerels – One Class Only
Up to 16 oz (500 gm)
Pullets – One Class Only
Up to 14 ounces (425 gm)
Type - 30 points or 30% of total
Character - 25 points or 25% of total
Tail Carriage - 15 points or 15% of total
Wing Carriage - 10 points or 10% of total
Feather Quality - 10 points or 10% of total
Condition - 10 Points or 10% of total
Total Possible Points: 100 pts. = 100%
Shape of the Male
Comb: Single, medium, set firmly and evenly on head, straight and
upright, evenly serrated with five regular and distinct points, the
middle points the same length as the width of the blade, moderately
arched, blade should extend well over back of head.
Beak: Strong, stout and well curved.
Face: small, rounded, smooth, fine in texture, free from wrinkle
or folds.
Eyes: Round, conspicuous.
Wattles: Medium, round, fine in texture, free from wrinkles or
folds.
Ear Lobes: Small, oval, fitting closely to the head.
Head: Small, carried well back in a proud manner.
Neck: Medium length, backward arched, showing off breast, full,
tapering gracefully from shoulders to head.
Hackle: Abundant, flowing naturally from front of neck reaching
far back covering both shoulders.
Back: Extremely short, broad, in profile, shaped like a V with
neck and tail forming the vertical sides.
Tail Coverts & Saddle: Slightly curved, sword shaped hanging over
the abdomen and covering back, widely spread, overlapping the tail and
lesser sickles.
Tail: Moderately large and upright, carried in an upright
position so as to almost contact the back of head.
Main Tail: Feathers wide, moderately spread in a neatly
overlapping manner, rising above the head, “A” shaped from the rear
view.
Main Sickles: Medium to long, strong, firm, broad sword-shaped
slightly curved.
Lesser Sickles: Well-spread, medium length slightly upright,
sword-shaped sickle feathers covered with coverts.
Coverts: Abundant, becoming very broad, flowing well up tail.
Wings: Large, long, closely folded, carried vertically not quite
touching the ground, Shoulders and Fronts: Prominent, slightly concealed
by hackle.
Bows: Well rounded.
Coverts: Feathers broad, forming two distinct bars across wings.
Primaries: Moderate width, rather long, completely concealed by
secondaries.
Secondaries: Broad, tapering convexly to rear, wing bay well
exposed.
Breast: Highly lifted, well developed, full, carried prominently
forward beyond the vertical line drawn from point of beak, broad and
well rounded, from head to neck to breast – S shaped profile.
Body & Stern: Body- short, good depth and width, sloping from
front to rear. Stern: Fluff, short, abundant.
Legs & Toes: Legs- average length, widely set, parallel to each
other without bowing or knocked knees, well proportioned.
Lower Thighs: Short, stout at top and tapering to hocks.
Shanks: Short, smooth, round, evenly scaled.
Toes: Four, straight, well and evenly spread, evenly scaled.
Appearance: Small, broad, compact, active, tame, standing up
majestically.
Shape of the Female
Comb: Single, small, set firmly and evenly on the head, straight
and upright, evenly serrated with five regular and distinct points, the
middle points the same length as the width of the blade, moderately
arched, blade should extend well over the back of the head.
Beak: Strong, stout, and well curved.
Face: small, rounded, smooth, fine in texture, free from wrinkle
or folds.
Eyes: Round, conspicuous.
Wattles: Small, round, fine in texture, free from wrinkles or
folds.
Ear Lobes: Small, oval, fitting closely to head.
Head: Small, carried well back in proud manner.
Neck: Medium length, backward arched showing off breast, full,
tapering gracefully from shoulders to head.
Hackle: Abundant, flowing naturally from front of neck reaching
far back covering both shoulders.
Back: Extremely short, broad, in profile, shaped like a V with
neck and tail forming the vertical sides.
Cushion: Short, feathers broad and plentiful.
Tail: Moderately large and upright, carried in an upright
position so as to almost contact the back of head.
Main Tail: Feathers wide, moderately spread in a neatly
overlapping manner, rising above the head, “A” shaped from the rear
view.
Coverts: Abundant, becoming very broad, flowing well up tail.
Wings: Large, long, closely folded, carried vertically not quite
touching the ground, Shoulders and Fronts: Prominent, slightly concealed
by hackle.
Bows: Well rounded.
Coverts: Feathers broad, forming two distinct bars across wings.
Primaries: Moderate width, rather long, completely concealed by
secondaries.
Secondaries: Broad, tapering convexly to rear, wing bay well
exposed.
Breast: Highly lifted, well developed, full, carried prominently
forward beyond vertical line drawn from point of beak, broad and well
rounded, from head to neck to breast – S shaped profile.
Body & Stern: Body- short, good depth and width, sloping from
front to rear. Stern: Fluff, short, abundant.
Legs & Toes: Legs- average length -- widely set, parallel to each
other without bowing or knock ed knees, well proportioned.
Lower Thighs: Short, stout at top and tapering to hocks.
Shanks: Short, smooth, round, evenly scaled.
Toes: Four, straight, well and evenly spread, evenly scaled.
Appearance: Small, broad, compact, active, tame, standing up
majestically
|
Male Standard Drawing
by Catherine Stanevich
These drawings shows the ideal form of the American Serama male and
female. They represent the type breeders should consider as their main
goal and what they should be working towards. The breast is very large
and somewhat exaggerated in this drawing to stress the importance of it.
The head and tail are shown touching. This is described as “in pose>”
and shows an extreme amount of reach, with full large breast, and head
and tail touching. Note that the wing is not touching the ground. This
is very important. The wing should clear the ground and allow a small
amount of the foot to show. This will keep the wings clean and from
being tattered because they are longer than the foot. A medium length
leg is essential to achieve this wing carriage, as the short legs allow
the wing to drag. In selecting birds for your breeding plans and pens ,
remember to select toward these points of form. The males will be easier
to breed into this form, as it is more natural for them. The females are
further from this idea at this time and will take longer to select to
this level. By selecting height, breast, and reach-in-pose on the hens,
while still keeping soundness and reproducibility in mind; we can
produce this form without hurting the breed.
Female Standard Drawing
by Catherine Stanevich
JUDGING SERAMA GUIDELINES
Serama are judged in a Tabletop-judging scheme. The birds are
individually judged and evaluated while standing free on a table in
front of one or more judges. This sets the Serama apart from what most
chicken breeders are used to since all other breeds are simply picked up
then placed back into their cages. Therefore, the Serama must not only
fit the standard in appearance but it must also have the correct
behavior and be easy to handle.
SIZES
The size of Serama must not exceed the size limits for a given
category. When a bird has been entered in a given category and it is
found to weigh more than the standard weight for that category; that
particular bird should be disqualified from that category and moved into
the proper category.
POINTS
The assignment of points to a particular Serama are general
guidelines that in their distribution and number of points allotted show
the most important traits of the Serama standard. Type, temperament, and
tail set are the most important traits of the Serama and these traits
set it apart from other breeds.
TEMPERAMENT AND TYPE
These are the two most important traits for any Serama intended for
showing. These are the basis for what makes Serama a distinct and unique
breed. Both of these factors are awarded the largest number of points in
the point scale—thus, they should in no way be ignored.
1) TEMPERAMENT
Temperament is of the utmost importance in Serama. Temperament is
based on both nature and nurture. The selection for calm and friendly
temperament must be stressed in the breeding pen to heighten this
important trait through each generation because genetics and inheritance
play a very large role in the temperament of each generation. This is
nature. In addition, young Serama should be brought to shows so that
they become accustomed to the handling and crowds they will encounter at
such shows in their later years. Therefore, it is very important to
start handling and training your birds for show at as young an age as
possible. This is nurture. Aggressive birds that attack the handler
should be disqualified and must not be used in the breeding pen. Wild,
frightened birds that try to flee from the cage or the handler also
should be disqualified. Only friendly calm birds should be used for
breeding or showing.
2) TYPE
Type is the essence of any breed. Without proper type, a bird is not
recognizable as a member of a given breed. Type refers to the silhouette
of the bird and is the general outline of the bird. In Serama, type also
refers to the way the bird poses or its carriage. Some Serama have
perpetual pose, wherever they stand, they appear as if posed at all
times. This is unnatural and should not be treated as something special.
You can recognize such birds by the fact that they are always in pose
and never relax and they appear as not evenly balanced when mating,
feeding or perching. No extra points are to be given to such birds. What
is to be preferred though is a Serama with auto-pose—this is where the
Serama carries itself in pose without being handled or posed by the
owner or judge, but can relax, while the bird is able to move its tail
at will whether upwards or downwards. The proper type and carriage of
Serama is for the body to be at a 90° angle from the ground. The balance
should not be affected and with proper carriage it is not. The head
carriage of the Serama is also very important to the type. The proper
head carriage is for the head to be pulled back as far as possible, so
that the back of the comb touches or nearly touches the main sickles and
the eye is behind the leg when viewed from the side, that is if you were
to draw an imaginary line from the front of the eye down to the leg.
Thus, the breast will be held out at maximum extension. Neck carriage
refers to the way the neck is held to allow for the head to be held
fully back, the breast fully forward, but yet the wattles do not hang on
or lay on the breast. To do this, the neck must have sufficient length.
Breast fullness refers to the well-extended breast that is required to
have proper type. The breast should be well muscled, held far forward,
and yet high and not at all low to the ground.
BODY
It is vitally important to the breed that the Serama's body be full
and well muscled, especially the breast. Thin birds, without full, solid
breast muscling should be disqualified. The muscling of the bird is an
indicator of vitality. Thin birds are of no use to the breed, as they
are very susceptible to disease and are lacking in vitality and are
generally of poor reproductive qualities.
TAIL
The tail must be well held, solidly set on the body. Poorly set tails
and wry tails must be disqualified. Low tails are to be discouraged. The
very high angle of the tail is of great importance in creating the
outline of the breed and is a major factor in the type of the Serama.
True Main tail feathers - Thin and sparse main tail feathers are a
detriment to the breed. Birds with less than five main tail feathers on
each side should be disqualified. While five feathers on each side of
the main tail is the fewest allowable, more than five on each side is
preferred.
Sickles - Again, thin or sparse sickles are undesirable. Straight
sickles are not desirable nor are less than five sickles on each side of
the tail, while more than five per side are preferred.
Secondary Sickles - Sparse, thin or poor textured secondary sickles
are undesirable.
Saddles - Sparse, broken or thin saddles are to be avoided.
WINGS
Wings that are held above the vertical line are undesirable. Birds
with wings nearly horizontal should be disqualified. Wings should not
drag along the ground to the point of damage or tattering . They should
clear the ground just enough to be intact and well groomed. Wings that
drag along the ground and are constantly dirty, tattered and broken are
an unpleasant sight.
LEGS
Legs should be long enough to keep the wing just above the ground.
Very short legs are often the result of the creeper gene, and this is
very undesirable in Serama, as this is a Chabo (Japanese bantam) trait,
and is also a lethal gene. Very short legs make for ragged, tattered
wings that drag the ground. Short legs are to be disqualified. Legs
should be of medium length, but not long either. Very short legs, which
are so short as to have little or no actual shank, are also a
disqualification. Further, more than four toes is also a
disqualification.
FEATHERS
Thin, sparse, picked, broken, ruffled, partially frizzled or coarse,
or rough feathering are undesirable. Only smooth, well-textured, medium
tight feathers are allowable.
COMB/WATTLES
Combs should be small to medium to present an elegant and refined
look. Combs of less than five points are to be disqualified. Wattles
also should not be overly large. Long pendulous wattles, very large
combs, or combs that flop over and combs or wattles with folds and thumb
marks are to be strongly discouraged.
APPEARANCE
The condition of the bird is the essence of good rearing and show
preparation. Bad looking birds that are dirty, with excessively broken,
roughed or tattered feathers, pale faced or showing any kind of disease
or physical problems should be disqualified and removed from the show.
AWARDS SYSTEM
Because countries have different ways of establishing awards in the
colors they choose for the first, second, third place, etc., SCNA uses
1-purple, 2-blue, 3- red, 4-white while other colors are used in
horse/dog/cat competitions in the US. In chickens there are no rosettes
but Cups with an inscription on the plate. In the beginning of the last
century there were medals as well, but that stopped in the ‘70’s though
still used in Germany, they have vanes also that have embroidery on
them. So, various countries have their own traditions concerning awards.
With that said, below is the awards system as used by SCNA, the leading
Serama organization in America.
Tier One -- Judging - Quality Awards
Each Serama in each class is individually evaluated and awarded a
score up to 100.
Serama awarded a score of 95 - 100 earn a Purple Ribbon
Serama awarded a score of 90 - 94 earn a Blue Ribbon
Serama awarded a score of 85 -89 earn a Red Ribbon
Serama awarded a score of 80 -84 earn a White ribbon
Tier Two -- Judging …
The top three (3) scoring birds in each class compete against each
other.
One is selected Class Champion, another is selected Class Reserve
Champion
Classes consist of Cock, Hen, Cockerel, and Pullet
In Stand-Alone Serama-Only-Shows, the Cock and Hen classes may be
further divided by weight, A, B & C
Tier Three – Judging …
All Class Champions compete against each other.
One is selected Show Champion, another is selected Show Reserve
Champion
In case of a tie, the exhibitor with the most SCNA Purple Awards is
declared the winner. If still a tie, blue, red, and then white awards
are counted as tiebreakers.
The
Serama makes a beautiful pet and companion, both indoors and outdoors.
SERAMA
eat regular chicken feed, a 50/50 mixture of game bird breeder feed and
chicken crumbles. A little grain (red wheat) may be feed weekly as a
treat.
The
Serama is a new breed of bantam, having been developed within the past 15
years.
Serama
make excellent house pets.