cobra3073
Chirping
- Jan 3, 2017
- 78
- 92
- 96
It would appear the Nankin Club of America Facebook site is not very up-to-date or otherwise meeting the needs of some hobbyists (me for one) as it relates to information and or entertainment on our favorite breed — the Nankin Bantams. This thread is meant to try and address these two issues.
I will start it off by chronicling my “journey” (so far) with this delightful breed.
As a 30 year retired AF veteran and 14 year retired Federal investigator, I was looking around for something else to do after nearly completing the restorations/modifications of my 3 classic Mustang cars and a 5-year stint as a community leader.
As i thought back, I recalled how much enjoyment I had derived from raising and breeding Bantams (or banties as we say here in the South). You longtime members of this BYC, can surely imagine my excitement when I lucked upon this site.
As I read through some of the threads and waffled between different breeds, I finally a long but somewhat dated thread on the Nankins. I had never heard of this breed and the comments relative to the breed’s critically endangered status further pique my interest. Here was something I could “get my teeth into.”
Prior to beginning this journey, I researched City/County possible restrictions (I do live in a major city) on having chickens. I also touched base with my neighbors to ensure no one had any “heart burn” relative to the effort.
As a result of the positive results on these fronts, I started researching designs for a predator proof coop ( read that mansion, according to the First Lady) and run. Once that was completed, I contracted with a carpenter to build it.
Thus begin the most difficult (so far) part of the journey...finding some very good Nankin specimens. From reading the “dated” posts on BYC, I had come to understand the almost universal contempt the alleged Nankin breeders had for the hatchery birds from”Ideal” and by extensions “Purely Poultry.” Most “posters” recommended sourcing the birds from established breeders.
Unfortunately for me, most of the alleged breeders with whom I contacted or tried to contact either were no longer breeding; only had eggs; or didn’t return messages.
I finally decided to make the trek to Colonial Williamsburg, VA to view their flock with the hope of making a connection to there. While I was able to observe part of their flock, the most knowledgeable person (Ms Elaine Shirley) was not available. I did get her number and subsequently left a message for her but as of this date have not received a call back.
I should note there were two breeders who I did make actual telephone contact with who promise to satisfy my request but they subsequently failed to respond to my emails and voice messages.
By this time (early May of this year), I was ready to “bite the bullet” and purchase the alleged “mix breed” Nankins chicks from “Purely Poultry.”
You can imagine my surprise when out of the blue, I received an email from Ms Charlotte Ford in the Atlanta area apologizing for just getting back to me relative to an email I had sent her a couple weeks prior.
This gracious and generous Lady offered to GIVE me up to three adult pairs of Nankins if I would come and get them. I immediately accepted her offer and made arrangements for the First Lady and myself to drive over on June 9, 2018.
The very next day, I was making my daily periodic perusal of the “Nankin Club of America” Facebook site when I came across an ad from Ms. Liza Post of the “Conservacy.” Ma Post had obtained a trio of Single Comb Nankins from a member of the Conservacy and had hatched twelve (12) chicks on March 23, 2018.
Of that number, 2 did not survive and of the remaining 3 cockerels 7 pullets, she was willing to sell 2 cockerels and 6 pullets!! I immediately jumped all over this deal and purchased all 8. It should be noted that I did “close the loop” by texting and emailing Ms. Ford that I would no longer need the adult birds.
Hatch Day! Parent’s picture in the corner.
First day at their new home - June 6, 2018
Another view on June 6, .2018
Again, this thread is meant to try and capture your journey with our Nankins. Please post your narratives and pictures.
BT
I will start it off by chronicling my “journey” (so far) with this delightful breed.
As a 30 year retired AF veteran and 14 year retired Federal investigator, I was looking around for something else to do after nearly completing the restorations/modifications of my 3 classic Mustang cars and a 5-year stint as a community leader.
As i thought back, I recalled how much enjoyment I had derived from raising and breeding Bantams (or banties as we say here in the South). You longtime members of this BYC, can surely imagine my excitement when I lucked upon this site.
As I read through some of the threads and waffled between different breeds, I finally a long but somewhat dated thread on the Nankins. I had never heard of this breed and the comments relative to the breed’s critically endangered status further pique my interest. Here was something I could “get my teeth into.”
Prior to beginning this journey, I researched City/County possible restrictions (I do live in a major city) on having chickens. I also touched base with my neighbors to ensure no one had any “heart burn” relative to the effort.
As a result of the positive results on these fronts, I started researching designs for a predator proof coop ( read that mansion, according to the First Lady) and run. Once that was completed, I contracted with a carpenter to build it.
Thus begin the most difficult (so far) part of the journey...finding some very good Nankin specimens. From reading the “dated” posts on BYC, I had come to understand the almost universal contempt the alleged Nankin breeders had for the hatchery birds from”Ideal” and by extensions “Purely Poultry.” Most “posters” recommended sourcing the birds from established breeders.
Unfortunately for me, most of the alleged breeders with whom I contacted or tried to contact either were no longer breeding; only had eggs; or didn’t return messages.
I finally decided to make the trek to Colonial Williamsburg, VA to view their flock with the hope of making a connection to there. While I was able to observe part of their flock, the most knowledgeable person (Ms Elaine Shirley) was not available. I did get her number and subsequently left a message for her but as of this date have not received a call back.
I should note there were two breeders who I did make actual telephone contact with who promise to satisfy my request but they subsequently failed to respond to my emails and voice messages.
By this time (early May of this year), I was ready to “bite the bullet” and purchase the alleged “mix breed” Nankins chicks from “Purely Poultry.”
You can imagine my surprise when out of the blue, I received an email from Ms Charlotte Ford in the Atlanta area apologizing for just getting back to me relative to an email I had sent her a couple weeks prior.
This gracious and generous Lady offered to GIVE me up to three adult pairs of Nankins if I would come and get them. I immediately accepted her offer and made arrangements for the First Lady and myself to drive over on June 9, 2018.
The very next day, I was making my daily periodic perusal of the “Nankin Club of America” Facebook site when I came across an ad from Ms. Liza Post of the “Conservacy.” Ma Post had obtained a trio of Single Comb Nankins from a member of the Conservacy and had hatched twelve (12) chicks on March 23, 2018.
Of that number, 2 did not survive and of the remaining 3 cockerels 7 pullets, she was willing to sell 2 cockerels and 6 pullets!! I immediately jumped all over this deal and purchased all 8. It should be noted that I did “close the loop” by texting and emailing Ms. Ford that I would no longer need the adult birds.
Hatch Day! Parent’s picture in the corner.
First day at their new home - June 6, 2018
Another view on June 6, .2018
Again, this thread is meant to try and capture your journey with our Nankins. Please post your narratives and pictures.
BT
