03/14/2023
Trigger alert: this post does contain a little drama for the purpose of its teachable moment (which we usually don't touch drama with a ten foot pole) and thoughts- in general terms- about the birds most good breeders are willing to part with, and a myth buster that breeders only sell their "culls".
Last August, we made the decision to buy 8 little chicks. Old enough to ship but still tiny (about five weeks) and it was a line that is well known and a breeder that is very reputable. After all, we are into our 12th generation on several lines- so we rarely add new birds to the flock, but rather we are on a constant quest to improve what we have with what we have. However, as we branch into more of Malaysian types for some of the possible/ prospective exhibition and/ or breeding lines that we have high hopes for, there were several breeders who stuck out to us as producers of very quality type that we had in mind. At that point we had obtained several birds from several breeders of Malaysian type that we had hope to get our hands on when we decided to branch off this direction a bit. But we needed a few more. One day, I see a post about a little clutch of 8 little chicks from a line I knew that I had to have- by a breeder I respect.
Now, when you buy chicks it's a gamble. I went into things well aware of this. You can end up with some nice birds or all pet quality or a mix of both. But young chicks are typically priced accordingly. In this case they were very reasonable in my mind. So I pulled the trigger. I love raising my own babies versus purchasing adult birds. This way you can raise them to your liking as far as handling. We all know that when you travel all over the place showing, you spend a ton of hands- on time with these birds. To me, it seems like a more enjoyable experience if you have developed at least somewhat of a bond with the birds turned travel companions. I'm not saying they all have to be Dixie (a pet of mine) style pets that follow you- actually, that can work against you when showing, but at least to develop enough of a rapport that they don't try like hell to flee you every time you open the carrier or cage.
And so the day the chicks arrived- the only surprise I got was the two extra chicks that the very generous breeder had thrown in. Outside of this, there was no surprises - no dead birds or birds that I wasn't already expecting outside of the two bonus birds. I had seen plenty of video and photos to know exactly what I was getting- which is exactly what I wanted.
This was a brood of chicks one could look at and if their eye was even a little trained, it was obvious about two facts: the first, they were clearly healthily little chicks with obvious Malaysian body types. And two: looking at them, you just knew there was potential among them. You can kind of gauge this by the way the naturally stand and move and carry themselves and certainly by the way they're shaped or their silhouette. But most people realize that, with Serama in particular, they can change drastically as they mature. It can be for the better or worse. But again, chicks are always a gamble from anyone, for anyone. A lot can happen in the time it takes a pullet to become a hen and the same can be said for the boys.
Imagine my bewildered amusement - for lack of a better label on the way I felt about this situation- when a very new and novice person who had been with Serama less than one year came to a Serama Club of Wisconsin meet (that is always hosted at/ based out of our farm), and I was kind enough to show this person the new chicks that had been there only about a week or less, at her request, and she looks at them, pretends to know more than she does and opens her mouth to say- "awe. Cute" after glancing over the chicks for less than 15 seconds, quite literally, and finishes by saying, "did (this very reputable breeder and friend of mine that hatched the chicks) sell you his culls?" And this individual makes a face that seems like she smells something bad. You know that look.
In astonishment at her sheer ignorance, and since there was other brand new Serama owners present that actually wanted to learn about the birds they are so passionate about, I decided to answer in the form of a matter-of-fact tone -but also use it as a teachable moment too. I clearly and slowly explained that this breeder would have no way of knowing if the little chicks were culls or not at five weeks old. Sure, many chicks you can look at shortly after hatch and determine they will never have what you're looking for as far as type, but within this clutch there were some real standouts that clearly held great potential. again, you never know what they'll grow up to be. However, when you do anything enough, you kind of learn what to look for as far as prospects to go out or move on down the road. But still, you never know. If you talk to any breeder that's been in the game long enough, they have a story of regret where they got rid of a bird and after the bird matured they seen him or her again and had a real bad case of seller's remorse. I've heard - and have countless stories like this. Or conversely, sell a bird as a prospect for real money, and they turn out to look like a turd later down the road. But in my mind, a breeder with an eye, waits until at least four months old to determine if they want to continue to grow the bird out or map a different course. However, closed flocks with line bred birds seem to get very consistent results with their breeding programs. And to the best of my knowledge, this was the case with my ten little chicks.
I'm not sure if this display of ignorance was just that or an attempt to deceive other new and eager to learn Serama owners into believing she knew more than she did or if it was a blatant jealousy thing. And I don't really care to be honest. This was just something I was thinking about over the last week as I handle the now 7 month old c**kerels and pullets that I've been very happy with all along- and more than several of them, I continue to be happier as we go. And said individual has metaphorically hung herself with her own rope and it was collectively decided this person wouldn't be invited to our private club functions going forward. Not as my sole decision. We don't have to like everyone in life. But we do need to be able to enjoy our hobbies without bu****it. So it really makes no difference to me whatsoever, but last week, I was thinking about both Serama drama and the age old question as to if breeders will really sell their nicest birds or if they only move what they see as culls.
As for the latter, there are so many variables at play in that question, such as, what are you willing to pay? Do they have a replacement? What do you have planned for the bird? How old is the bird? Is there a youth exhibitor involved? Is the breeder reputable and does he or she accurately represent the quality of said birds?
In this specific case, the breeder sold me what I wanted and so much more. As it turns out there's not a cull in the bunch. And actually, of ten, there are five I consider outstanding that will likely enter my breeding and / or exhibition program. The others would make great birds for someone too. But I think five of ten- or actually- 7 of ten- because two very nice males went to dear friends of mine when they were about four months. I haven't seen them since so I cannot comment on if they retained the quality they had as far as type back then or not but I am guessing they did based on their brothers and sisters that I have here.
So are young chicks a gamble? Sure. To some degree- They are are, but you're also typically paying significantly less than you would for a mature, proven bird.
Again, I usually stay out the Serama drama but this is one drama fueled topic I had to touch on because I suspect many of you have been in similarly themed situations based on what I see out there. And I'm hoping said person reads this and tries to be better. Not with this group but wherever she may find herself down the road.
I will thank this very reputable breeder and friend that the chicks came from in a later post but for now- you know who you are- I just don't want to tie I'm to this in any way because the only thing he did here was sell me 10 chicks for the price of 8 that all survived and grew into happy and healthy and beautiful young birds- about as far from the cull spectrum as one could be.
Best. Spent. Money. Ever.
But judge for yourself, keeping in mind they are Malaysian but not extreme. And odds are, if you've been around long enough you'll know exactly who these birds were bred by. Here's a few favorites of mine!
