Nankin Discussion Thread - Page 7

The more nankins I see the more i realize we need to work on the color. At the Ventura California show there were 30+ birds exhibited. The color varied from wheaten like to a beautiful chestnut. The pullets seemed to have better color. Deeper chestnut, better marked tails and leg color. The hens seem to lighten with age. There was a sc hen with beautuful type and very good color. I think she was the 1st place hen. Most of the other hens exhibited were lighter in color. They also had less color in the tails, some were a light tan with grey spotting instead of black. I know from personel experinc those light hens can produce very nice chicks but the percentage of "keepers" seems to be less.
I have a group of 14 from 3 sources and there are definate differences in the 3. One group has good color and type, the pullets color fades some with the second moult and a little more the following year. The second has excelent type, the pullets and hens have good color that holds well. when held up in strong light you can see a faint lacing(sebright influence?). the third has the best color but lacks a little type and are a bit bigger.
After looking at the birds I have I have some interesting choices to make when it comes to pairing them up:)

francis,

You are absolutely correct that the hens lighten with age. I've not noticed a great change in the color of the males though. Of course, I don't keep as many of them either.

Personally, I prefer a dark rich colored male, but not everyone does.

saladin,
if you have a minute look at our web page and tell me what you think of the nankins colors. The birds arent set up well but the colors are pretty close. The 2009 hens produced the 2010 birds. 3 different hens and two cocks. The web page is www.rdrfarm.com and go to the chicken page. Let me know what you think
franciscreek

francis,
As soon as I get to work and am not on a dialup I'll take a look. Thanks for the invite.

here are our new babies.....





anyone know why one of them has almost a lacing look? think she (hopefully) will grow out of it?

francis,

I like that 2010 cock!!

The hens I prefer are #5885 and #134.

Would love to find some of these, any near central WV. Thanks.

Don't have to be close. The USPS will ship them anywhere in the lower 48.

saladin

the 2010 cock  is out of #134. She produced several nice birds this year. I havent shown 5885 yet, I am going to take her to a show the end of this month. It should have 30 to 40 Nankins so it will give me a better idea of how she compares to some of the other nice birds I have seen this year. The cockerels, pullets and hens 129, 131 and 134 are Don Cables breeding. I cant thank him enough for the two trios he got me started with. He is a great guy to deal with and is always there to help with any questions or concerns. The other two hens are MaryAnn's breeding.