Chicken Breed Focus - Nankin

[MROO]

My Nankin eggs shipped across the US to Oregon failed one hatched then passed two peeped and failed the other 4 failed to hatch. I am still looking for new blood for my flock.

Nanny eggs are notoriously hard to ship. They are so small and so round that it's hard to stabilize them in their packaging, so any rolling breaks the veins ... and that kills the embryo. It's sad. It's probably also one of the reasons why they're disappearing.
Contact Elaine Shirley at Colonial Williamsburg, VA. She maintains a good sized flock of Nankins (although I think they're single comb.) She's hard to reach, as she has her hands full managing the heritage livestock breeds, but it's worth the wait. She is a storehouse of knowledge and has been doing this long enuogh that she may have some tricks for safe shipping. It's worth a shot!

 

[Carol Thomson]

Looking for Nankin bantam hatching eggs contact Carol at [email protected]

 

[Fluffy Lambs]

Hey guys what color undercolor do your roos have? A friend gave me one and it has gray, my bantam SOP says buff. My hen has buff. And based on his offspring that trait is dominant. Which means I won't be able to breed him for show Nankins. Which is a shame because he's perfect besides that and scissor beak.

 

[MROO]

Hey guys what color undercolor do your roos have? A friend gave me one and it has gray, my bantam SOP says buff. My hen has buff. And based on his offspring that trait is dominant. Which means I won't be able to breed him for show Nankins. Which is a shame because he's perfect besides that and scissor beak.

My nephew is now happily ensconced at college just outside of Orlando ... and now that DD is moving out, I just HAPPEN to have an extra rooster and a couple of hens to spare. in case you're still looking ...

 

[MROO]

Hey guys what color undercolor do your roos have? A friend gave me one and it has gray, my bantam SOP says buff. My hen has buff. And based on his offspring that trait is dominant. Which means I won't be able to breed him for show Nankins. Which is a shame because he's perfect besides that and scissor beak.

Except for the striped legs, mine have a pinky/buff skin. The under feathers (down) are definitely poofy buff. My boys are currently all sporting whorls of creamy cotton at the base of their tails. It's a good thing we're not showing, this year!

 

[Fluffy Lambs]

Omg can he bring them one day and we can come get them?
Edit:
Will you please PM me about this? Thanks!

 

[Fluffy Lambs]

https://rsaucerman410380816.wordpress.com/poultry/

I found this and thought it was interesting.

 

[Cbwakefield]

We raise Nankins and they are as good as this article describes them. Check up out on facebook as "Wakefield Farms." Let us know if we can help you start your flock.

 

[Carol Thomson]

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/

I see you have a picture Of my Gramps on a roof in your listing. Nankin Bantams are the most wonderful chickens I have every owned. I bread and sold the eggs for years until I lost the hen of my last pair. I wish I had them back they are the smartest, bravest foul as made by God.

 

[MROO]

Nankin Bantams are the most wonderful chickens I have every owned. ... I wish I had them back they are the smartest, bravest foul as made by God.

I agree wholeheartedly! Now that they've graduated from "Critically Endangered" to "Threatened," Nannies are getting a bit easier to find. Where are you located? We could probably find you a pair or some hatching eggs.

Yosemite Sam