Serama Series 1 - Combs and Wattles
HERE WE GO!! The first in a series of articles about Serama. We’ll go from the top of the head to the feet, section by section.
Let me start this series by saying it’s well worth the investment to get an ABA (American Bantam Association) and/or an APA (American Poultry Association) Standard of Perfection book. Both are packed with information, not just about Serama, but also about color standards, scoring systems, and more. I’ll be referencing pages from them as we go along. The SCNA (Serama Council of North America) follows the same defects and disqualifications listed by the ABA and APA. The main difference is that the SCNA also does tabletop showing. Tabletop showing, and its scoring system, are unique. In tabletop showing, there are no color requirements, while color is very important in cage shows under an ABA or APA judge, like at a 4-H show or a State Fair.
The first things to look at is the same for every type of Serama: the comb and wattles Since Serama only have a single comb, it should be medium in size, straight, and standing upright—not flopped over like you might see in other breeds. A proper comb should have five points. In cage shows, the comb can earn up to 5 points. (See page 49 in the 45th Edition of the APA American Standard of Perfection or page 22 in the 2020 ABA Bantam Standard.)
The wattles should be medium and round for males while females should be small and round.
Keep in mind, though, that each judge sees things a little differently. What looks like a medium comb to one judge might seem too big to another. At the end of the day, when you take a bird to a show, you’re paying for that judge’s opinion. If you show under two different judges, don’t be surprised if you end up with two very different sets of scores.
Below are some photos showing examples of good combs as well as combs with defects or disqualifications:
Figure 1: This male has a large comb (which is a defect) and it flops over which may qualify as a DQ. At the very least it is a big defect. Refer to the American Poultry Association 45th Edition Standard of Perfection page 37. This is not a bird that I would keep in the breeding pen. You don’t want a flopped comb for males or females.
Figure 2: This male has a nice sized comb. He’s a cockerel still and it could grow larger but hopefully not too much so.
Figure 3: This guy has a nicely sized comb. He also has 5 points which is how many a Serama should have. In my opinion his wattles are a bit bigger than I like.
Figure 4: The little lady on the right has a bit bigger comb than I like. As are her wattles. The shape is good but the size is a large. Females should have small combs and wattles. The little lady on the left has a comb and wattles that are just about right.
Figure 5: This male has a nice sized comb and his points are nicely spaced out. Any larger and his comb would be too big, in my opinion. His wattles are appropriately sized.
Figure 6: This little girl’s comb and wattles are perfect. Nice and small as they should be.
Figure 7: This guy’s comb is a little funky. The shape is not very symmetrical. He’ll likely lose a point or two on his comb score. It’s medium sized and is standing upright but it’s not the perfect comb.
Figure 8: This boy is not a Serama however he is a Single Comb breed and he has a problem. See that “point” that sticks out to the side? That is called a side sprig. That is an instant DQ. You don’t want that in your breeding pen.
There are some other terms you may hear:
Thumb mark: I have yet to find a photo of what a thumb mark looks like in a single comb. Reportedly it looks like you pressed your thumb in the center of the comb and made an indention.
Crow headed: This is basically a chicken whose head shape is elongated like that of a crow. Imagine taking the beak of a Serama and pulling it forward drawing out the head a bit.