Nankin Bantams

[cobra3073]

I agree with Dawn (MROO) whole heartedly!

While my specific goal is to try and breed as close as I can to the “Standard”, due primarily to the relatively rarity of this breed, I realize the rarity itself could create some issues.

In going through the historical posts here on the Site as posters discuss Msnkins, a number of the alleged (purist) breeders were extremely negative when discussing hatchery Nankins. I could find very few (if any) posts from folks who themselves had ACTUALLY acquired and posted their specific experiences with hatchery Nankins.

I agree with one poster on one of the threads who made the observation that it is difficult to believe a respected hatchery would advertise and sell Nankins that were “mixed.”

On the other hand, I have read that in the past, some breeders in Europe (and possibly the U.S.) have used other breeds (i.e., OEGB) to try and more closely meet the “standard.”

With the above having been said, I truly hope Robin will continue to post on this thread as her Nankins develop. I am EXTREMELY interested in whether the hatchery Nankins retain the Nankins admirable dispositions and historical propensity for broodiness.

Robin, I am happy to read your Nankins have the “dot.”

...and again, I (and I believe others) would really appreciate your continuing to post on this thread.

BT

 

[cobra3073]

As I stated previously, Dawn makes some EXCELLENT points as it relates to the standard and what is currently out there.

Btw Dawn, you have been a bit remiss in posting pictures of your babies for several days, now! You know how we all love pictures. Since yours and Robins are near the same age, I believe (hint, hint) this thread would be a GREAT place to track any differences as the Nankins age and develop.

I will, of course, keep posting pictures of mine.

BT

 

[artsyrobin]

what got me started considering them, i have a friend with them and she was suggesting them after the loss of some very special seramas, which are very inbred and have health issues. Her nankins are from ideal, they are very friendly, mamas bring babies to visit lol and she pointed out they have the traits i liked in the seramas, and are healthier- so she tried sending nankin eggs, didn't handle shipping well or the bator, so she suggested to order them from ideal. So we will see how the babies do, they are loving climbing on mama right now lol eating well. Here are this mornings pics

 

[artsyrobin]

by the way, all i have read they are so rare the show circuit doesn't have the 'perfect' nankins - what i have seen in the serama world, don't know i'd like to see that mindset with nankins - it is terribly cutthroat - they deserve more respect than that

 

[cobra3073]

I agree about the “cut throat” observation.

As I was doing my search for Nankins, I was surprised how few “show type owners” did not appear to be helpful.

One breeder (Charlotte Ford) who apparently has a large number of Mankins stood out (as while she is not currently showing her Nankins), she went “above and beyond” in offering me (free, if I came and got them) THREE pairs of Nankins. To me, this is the type of breeder I will thrive to emulate as I continue my journey in trying to add to this delightful breed.

I am also TOTALLY impressed with Dawn’s (MROO) approach and willingness to share information and her experience.

I honestly believe that we relatively new folks can make things better even though I am not discounting what others have already done.

That having been said, I also realize some folks may have become “comfortable” already with their flocks and don’t have the time or inclination to keep repeating what they have learned here on the site and/or in other places. I would hope that some of them will rejoin the conversation.

BT

 

[MROO]

what got me started considering them, i have a friend with them and she was suggesting them after the loss of some very special seramas, which are very inbred and have health issues. Her nankins are from ideal, they are very friendly, mamas bring babies to visit lol and she pointed out they have the traits i liked in the seramas, and are healthier- so she tried sending nankin eggs, didn't handle shipping well or the bator, so she suggested to order them from ideal. So we will see how the babies do, they are loving climbing on mama right now lol eating well. Here are this mornings pics

Awwwwwww!!! I love the babies! And Mama's a pretty cute little chick, herself!

 

[artsyrobin]

is there a significance in wing color and feather development in regard to gender? They seriously make me laugh, like a pod of fish zooming around

 

[MROO]

Nope, no real difference at all when they're this little. And yes, they are definitely fast, at this stage. I really like the fish pond analogy. It's perfect!
We lost another chick this morning - the hard way. I didn't realize that my daughter had added a mayo jar lid of water directly into the incubator to boost the humidity. That was a huge mistake, but she didn't realize it and didn't ask ... and I hadn't warned her. She woke up to a newly hatched, drowned chick. We are all SO upset.

So - big, HUGE reminder to you all. DO NOT put water into your incubators. EVER! Even that 1/8 inch killed one of our babies. So very, very depressing ...

 

[artsyrobin]

i am so sorry! those are hard lessons

 

[MROO]

Thanks. Some lessons come harder than others, i guess. We still have six happy, healthy babies, so I can't really complain. We're already marking and collecting eggs for another batch. If Beauty or Miss Piggy (named because she snarfed a grape while I was halving them, and despite being "too little" to eat a whole grape ... did it anyway!) go broody anytime soon, we'll have a full clutch for them. And if not, we'll take the chance on incubating from home. Maybe, if we don't have to move them very far (like in shipping) and they can hear Evie and Jackie in the brooder, next door, we'll get better than the incubator hatch rates. It has to be better than the "eating them for breakfast" hatch rate, right? And this time, we've hand-picked the roo. They've been on their own for over a week and we just put the best of our flock with them. So, ol' Captain Cuddles (we thought he was a she at first) had best get busy!