MALAYSIA: Miniature chickens are back and strutting their stuff after many were culled as a precautionary measure following a bird-flu outbreak in 2004

Record ID: 745461

  • Title: MALAYSIA: Miniature chickens are back and strutting their stuff after many were culled as a precautionary measure following a bird-flu outbreak in 2004
  • Date: 30th March 2009
  • Summary: KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA (MARCH 28, 2009) (REUTERS) CITY STREET VENUE OF MINIATURE CHICKEN CONTEST CHICKENS IN CAGES VARIOUS OWNER MASSAGING AND EXAMINING HIS CHICKEN CHICKEN ON CAGE NEXT TO PET BOTTLE VARIOUS OF OWNERS PREPARING HIS BIRD BEFORE COMPETITION COMPETITION STAGE COMPETITION SIGN MAN PLACING CHICKEN ON TABLE IN FRONT OF JUDGES VARIOUS OF CHICKEN JUDGES RATING C
  • Embargoed: 14th April 2009 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Malaysia
  • Country: Malaysia
  • Topics: Industry,Light / Amusing / Unusual / Quirky
  • Reuters ID: LVACNJ5YEU2JEBY8V2PPKYY8GAQX
  • Story Text: In 2004, the government ordered the culling of over 50,000 birds in Malaysia as a precaution against bird flu, threatening to wipe out the Malaysian Serama, a miniature chicken breed.
    But breeders and enthusiasts of the fowl which originates in Malaysia fought hard to prevent extinction and now, five years later, they were able to hold a contest to find the best bird.
    On Saturday (March 28), miniature chicken breeders from all over the country gathered at the central market in Kuala Lumpur, the Malaysian Serama Competition venue, bringing their most-prized birds.
    At most other poultry contests, the birds are judged while in a cage.
    But the miniature breed is placed on top of a table in front of judges.
    Before being scrutinized by judges at the contest on Saturday, chicken owners did their best to make their birds look more attractive to better their chances for cash prizes totalling 8,000 ringgit (2,210 U.S. Dollars) .
    The miniature rooster is characterised by vertical tail feathers, near-vertical wings which nearly touch the ground, a full breast and short legs, and are about the same height as a 500ml (16 ounce) PET bottle. Hens can be a third of the size of roosters.
    The chickens have a place in traditional Malay-Hindu culture and the name "Serama" is believed to have been taken from "Sri Rama" the name of the legendary king of Ayodhya in ancient India.
    In Malaysian households, they are treated as family members with the birds often sleeping in the house. Prize-winning chickens can be worth more than 20,000 ringgit (5,530 U.S. dollars).
    They are generally considered to be auspicious birds but in villages they are eaten to treat asthma and are also considered an aphrodisiac.
    But the bird's cocky demeanor is what fans like the most.

    "Even when they walk also is almost like a soldier walking, a warrior walking and they like to do the cat-walk, it looks funny but then its very unique," said Ahmad Mohammad, the head of the Malaysian Serama Corporation.

    "I like it, the colour and then how it stands, how it present itself, is something, very egoistic bird but it looks very cute," added Nesa Subramamiam, a veterinary student observing the competition.
    For some, the chickens are a great way to relieve stress.

    "This kind of (past time) has given us some relaxation, when we have a hectic day, busy day after coming back (home), we spend some time with the chicks, we feel relax, especially with the down-turn economics," said Serama breeder and enthusiast Eric Lee.
    In recent years, despite concerns over avian influenza, the popularity of the breed has been spreading overseas and now there are Serama clubs in the UK, the United States and the Netherlands an an estimated 25,000 small chickens are being bred internationally.
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