Chicken Breed Focus - Nankin

Nankin Bantams (aka Nankeen bantams) is one of the oldest known bantam breeds. It’s origins are obscure, but it is thought to have originated in Southeast Asia in the Nankin or Nanking region of China. The breed is believed to have arrived in England prior to the 1500’s, where it found use on the country estates of Britain for its ability to hatch and rear game bird chicks. It’s exceptional ability as a broody have kept it popular to the present time. The breed has contributed to the formation of many other bantam breeds over the years. They have become more widely found in the United States in the last ten years, with a breed club forming in 2006, and they were recognised by the APA in 2012.

Nankins have a calm temperament, the hens are very sweet, the breed is popular as pets, broodies, and show birds, especially for children. They are usually very flock oriented, with a tendency to want to stay very close together, with individual birds rarely wandering far from the rest of the flock.

The Nankin is a true bantam, currently not found in a standard size. Nankins come in only one color, their bodies are a rich chestnut color with a black tail, the hen’s body color is slightly lighter than the males. It can have either rose or single combs.

It was recognized by the APA in 2012 and is on The Livestock Conservancy's Critical list.

Note: Ideal Poultry carries Rose and Single combed Nankins.

Details:

Breed purpose: Ornamental, Broody Hens.
Comb Type: Rose or Single
Broodiness: Frequent, Exceptional mothers.
Climate Tolerance: Average
Weight: 24oz males, 22oz females
Egg Productivity: Poor
Egg Size: small
Egg Color: white/tinted



Pic by @aptoseggs


Pic by @aptoseggs


Pic by @ChicksRoseburg


Pic by @Michelle Sepiol

BYC Breed reviews:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/products/nankin-bantams

General breed discussions & FAQ thread:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/425880/nankin-discussion-thread/0_20


Do you own Nankins? Are you a Nankin breeder? If so, please reply to this thread with the your thoughts and experiences, including:

· What made you decide to get this breed?
· Do you own them for fun? Breeding? Some other purpose?
· What are your favorite characteristics about this breed?
· Post some pics of your birds; male/female, chicks, eggs, etc!

We have a bunch of other awesome breed-focus threads for you to enjoy. You can see all of them here: https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/chicken-breed-focus-project.975504/

What pretty little birds! Looking forward to hearing from members that raise them (and pictures are a bonus ).

Oh cool! I used to have a nankin bantam and I never knew what her breed was... Until now. Thanks

Wow these HAVE to be the cutest breed. I want one sooo bad!

I hope someone will post a photo showing Nankin chicks, they can't be much bigger than my thumb.

I know right!?

I found a pic on Google @NorthFLChick

Here's another one

Thanks @chicken4prez . Cute little things, aren't they

I
I can't recommend these guys enough. We have found our breed!