The SCNA Standard
American Serama Standard and In-cage Judging
The American Serama Standard is referred to when discussing America Bantam Association (ABA) or American Poultry Association (APA) in-cage judging. ABA/APA requires type, weight and color standards for every breed being exhibited in order to receive ABA/APA points at their sponsored events. The Serama Council of North America (SCNA) was the driving force of the American Serama Standard toward ABA/APA acceptance since the original Serama importation in 2001. When the SCNA delivered the American Serama Standard for ABA/APA approval and acceptance, the ownership of the American Serama Standard written by the members of SCNA was awarded to those entities.
The SCNA continues to promote and petition breeders to breed American Serama matching type, weight, and color standards as accepted by the ABA/APA.
American Serama Standard for In-cage ABA/APA
Country of Origin: Malaysia & America
American Status: Fairly Common
Weight Cock 16 oz - Hen 14 oz
Cockerel 14 oz - Pullet 12 oz
Shape Of Male
Weight Cock 16 oz - Hen 14 oz
Cockerel 14 oz - Pullet 12 oz
Shape Of 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, 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 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.
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 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 majestically.
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 majestically
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: Thumb Marks. 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 for In Coop Judging
American Serama ABA/APA Accepted Colors for In Coop judging only. American Standard description applies.
Color of Male and Female for Table-Top (TT) Judging
All Variety (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 leukosis (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.
American Serama Standard Drawings as presented to ABA
American Serama ABA/APA Accepted Colors for In Coop judging only. American Standard description applies.
Color of Male and Female for Table-Top (TT) Judging
All Variety (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 leukosis (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.
American Serama Standard Drawings as presented to ABA
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.
The current SCNA Standard of Perfection for class sizes states:
- A Class: (theoretically) null to 13 ounces/ 350 grams in cocks, and 11 ounces/ 325 grams in hens (there is no such thing as a Micro-A bird!).
- B Class: 16 ounces/500 grams in cocks, and 14 ounces/425 grams in hens
- C Class: 19 ounces/600 gram in cocks, and 17 ounces/525 grams in hens
- Cockerels: up to 16 ounces/500 grams
- Pullets: up to 14 ounces/425 grams
Proposed ABA Standard of Perfection states:
- Cocks 16 ounces with a 20% variable on weight or 12.8 to 19.2 ounces/358 to 537 grams, without disqualification.
- Hens 14 ounces with a 20% variable on weight or 11.2 to 16.8 ounces/313 to 470 grams, without disqualification.
- Cockerels: 14 ounces with a 20% variable on weight or 11.2 to 16.8 ounces/313 to 470 grams, without disqualification.
- Pullets: 12 ounces with a 20% variable on weight, or 9.6 to 14.4 ounces/368 to 403 grams, without disqualification.
The ASA standard:
American Serama Standard
AMERICAN SERAMA
Country of Origin: Malaysia & America
American Status: Fairly Common
Weight
Cock 16 oz./ 455 grams -Hen 14 oz/ 398 grams
Cockerel 14 oz/ 398 grams - Pullet 12 oz/ 342 grams
Shape Of 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, 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 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.
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 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 majestically.
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 majestically
AV American Serama Color
There are no color requirements for Table Top Judging
There are no weight requirements for Table Top Judging
Disqualifications
COMB: Inverted Comb
LEGS: Creeper Legs
WINGS: Horizontal Wing.
Defects
Back: Long or narrow back
Chest/Breast: Shallow or narrow breast
Legs: Short Legs
Tail: Main tail sickles curved in a concave manner; Squirrel Tail
