Malaysian
Serama Bantams are the smallest breed of chicken in the world, weighing less
than 500g. They are only 15-25 cm tall (a standard can of soda is 11.5 cm tall)
and are the result of crossing Japanese bantams with Malaysian bantams.
They originated in Malaysia
and the birds we see today were developed from crosses of Ayam Kapans and Japanese Bantams in the 1970's and 80's by Wee Yean Een. They are supposedly named after the
Thai king, Raja Sri Rama, who, like these little birds, was renowned for his
majestic appearance and proud carriage.
There are 3
categories for this breed and they are graded according to their weight with
the smallest and most desirable weighing just 350g. They are very upright
little birds with a small neat comb. Their breast is high and pushed upwards
with the wings almost touching the ground, giving the impression that they are
standing to attention and the tail is held at 90° so that it almost touches the
back of the head.