SCNA Online - Serama Council of North America

Shape Of Female
Comb: Single, small, 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, 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: 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 knees, well proportioned.
Lower Thighs: Short, stout at top and tapering to hocks.
Shanks: Medium, smooth, round, evenly scaled.
Toes: Four, straight, well and evenly spread, evenly scaled.
Appearance: Small, broad, compact, active, tame, standing up majestical

Disqualifications
COMB: Comb foreign to the breed
Single comb falling below the horizontal plane on level with top of head.
Single comb with side sprig. Split comb.
Inverted Comb
LEGS: Creeper Legs
TAIL: Wry Tail. .
WINGS: Horizontal Wing.
PLUMAGE: Any specimen having twisted feathers, particularly in hackle, back, wing bows and male sickles.

Defects
Comb: Thumbmarks. Large combs
Wattles: Large wattles. Wattles with wrinkles or folds
Head: Narrow head, crow head
Back: Long or narrow back
Chest/Breast: Shallow or narrow breast
Legs: Short Legs
Tail: Main tail sickles curved in a concave manner

COLOR OF MALE AND FEMALE BY VARIETY
WHITE AMERICAN SERAMA for In Coop judging only
COMB, FACE, WATTLES AND EAR LOBES: Bright red. BEAK: Yellow, EYES: Reddish bay. SHANKS & TOES: Yellow.
PLUMAGE: Refer to white color description, ABA Bantam Standard

COLOR OF MALE AND FEMALE TABLE TOP JUDGING

AV AMERICAN SERAMA

COMB, FACE, WATTLES, EAR LOBES, BEAK, EYES, SHANKS & TOES: No color requirement

PLUMAGE: No color requirement

Below are the Standard ABA Disqualifications, it is important to understand and apply them to all Seramas, along with those appearing in our Standard so that when it is time to qualify the next color variety they will already have been dealt with.

DISQUALIFICATIONS, BANTAM CHICKENS ONLY
In the event that any of the defects described hereinafter are found to exist, it shall be the duty of the judge to disqualify the bantam involved and state the nature of the disqualification on the indemnifying coop card, although it must be understood that under all disqualifying clauses, the bantam shall have the benefit of the doubt.
General
Since shape makes the breed and color makes the variety, any bantam lacking in shape shall be eliminated from competition.
Any bantam showing symptom of contagious or transmissible disease. Such a specimen does not have to be handled by the judge and shall be removed from the premises.
Faking in any manner.
See also the particular breed and/or variety for disqualifications peculiar to that breed or variety.
Shape
COMB: Comb foreign to the breed.
Lopped comb of all single-combed females.
Single comb falling below the horizontal plane on level with top of head.
Single comb females in non-lopped breeds in or near egg production with
slightly lopped combs should not be disqualified.
Single comb with side sprig. Split comb.
CREST: Presence of crest in non-crested breeds.
BEAK: Any deformity of upper or lower mandible.
EYES: Blind in both eyes. Irregular pupil indicating bird is affected with leucosis (Marek?s Disease).
MUFFS & BEARD: Presence of muffs and beard in non-bearded variety.
BACK: Crooked or deformed.
TAIL: Permanent absence of all main tail feathers except in rumples varieties. Split tail in cock or hen. Squirrel tail except in Japanese and Serama. Twisted main tail feather except in Frizzle. Twisted sickles except in Frizzle. Wry tail.
WINGS: Clipped primaries or secondaries except in bantam ducks. Slipped wing. Twisted primaries or secondaries except in Frizzle. Split wing.
SHANKS & TOES: Bow leg. Bare outer toe on all breeds of feather legged bantams. Duck foot. Malformation of foot and/or foot joint. Knock knees. More or less than four toes on four toed breeds. Shanks not feathered down outer sides on feather legged breeds. Web foot. Vulture hocks on all feather legged breeds. In all clean legged breeds, the unmistakable evidence of, or the removal of, any feather, stub or feather like growth.
SPURS: Absence of any semblance of spurs on the male of any breed of bantam.
PLUMAGE: Hen feathering in male of any breed. Any specimen having twisted feathers, particularly in hackle, back, wing bows and male sickles ? other than in Frizzle.
BODY: Any abnormal mass or swollen tissue or tumor.

Weights: In judging, preference is to be given to a bantam that is nearest to the standard weight, at or below the standard weight specified. Excessively small specimens shall not be given preference over one of equal quality that is nearer but at or below the standard weight requirement. Any Bantam that is accurately and openly weighed, using accurate scales, and weighs 20% more or 20% less than its standard shall be disqualified.

Disqualifications (Color)
FACE: Absolute white in any male or female of any breed of bantams where red ear lobes are set as standard.
EAR LOBES: Absolute enamel white in all breeds where red is a standard requirement.
SHANKS & TOES: Any color other than that described for the breed or variety. No discrimination is to be made for slight reddish pigment in yellow shanked varieties. Solid black legs in yellow legged blacks, barreds or blues.
PLUMAGE: See individual color pattern descriptions for disqualifications.

Male Standard Drawing
by Catherine Stanevich

Female Standard Drawing
by Catherine Stanevich

Judging Instructions

In posing the American Serama one should use either one's hand or judging stick to slowly move the head backwards so the eye lines up with the leg. In doing so the back of the comb will come in contact with the two main sickles on a male or the top two tail feathers on a female.

Once the eye is in line with the leg one should notice that the large wings are downward sloping or vertical as called for in the American Serama Standard.

Also the breast is thrust upright and the American Serama is posed in an upright manner.

When posed thus one can clearly see the breed characteristics that make up the breed; namely the moderately large upright tail, large downward sloping to vertical wings and upright breast.

One should always keep in mind that this is an upright breed unlike so many breeds developed in America that are horizontal in shape.

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. 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

Serama awarded a score of 75-79 earn a Yellow 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.