Nankin bantams

[HeritageGoose13]

So no one seems to know much about these little guys. Most chickens are kept for eggs or meat or ornamentals, but not nankins. Do you know what their farm use is?

"Nankin hens are exceptionally broody. They are often used to incubate eggs of upland game birds, such as quail and partridge." -from a book I have, Storey's Illustrated Guide to Poultry Breeds

The book also says:

"The nankin is a bantam only breed...it is considered one of the most ancient bantam breeds...used in the development of the Sebright...Nankins are slow to mature, friendly, active, and talkative birds. Although they are fliers, Nankins do well in confinement, and when given access to the outdoors, they tend to stay relatively close to the coop. ...the hens are such incredible setters that they were used historically to sit on eggs for game birds such as pheasant, quail and partridge..."

But they are critically endangered. Where could someone go to get some of these neat little birds? Does anyone here have experience with them? There is not much info out there on the internet.

 

[MsPecketty]

We got our original pair through someone in our 4-H group. You could try posting on the site for the Nankin Club of America and let them know you're looking for some.

 

[Michael OShay]

So no one seems to know much about these little guys. Most chickens are kept for eggs or meat or ornamentals, but not nankins. Do you know what their farm use is?

But they are critically endangered. Where could someone go to get some of these neat little birds? Does anyone here have experience with them? There is not much info out there on the internet.

Nankin Bantams were primarily raised by farmers to incubate the eggs of such species as pheasants, quail, and partridges. Nankin Bantams are available at Purely Poultry (https://www.purelypoultry.com/nankin-bantams-p-830.html), Schoenridge Homestead (http://schoenridgehomestead.weebly.com/nankin-bantams.html), and Old Gjerpen Farm (http://www.oldgjerpenfarm.com/sales.html). There is also a list of Nankin Bantam breeders on the Poultry Show Central website (http://www.poultryshowcentral.com/Nankin_Bantams.html).

 

[HeritageGoose13]

Cool, thanks.

 

[Onyx Otter]

I have one; a year old hen. She is on her second clutch this Summer. She is not very personable and she pretty much hates everyone but her babies.

 

[HeritageGoose13]

She is not very personable and she pretty much hates everyone but her babies.

Haha, sounds like some humans!

 

[Michael OShay]

Cool, thanks.

You're welcome.

 

[meganhundley]

I know this thread is old but wanted to ask a ? about Nankins. I got 2 pairs from a chicken swap in Gloucester, VA 3 weeks ago this past Sunday. The people I bought them from said they were already laying but I haven't found any eggs yet. When I first got them they free ranged and we're pretty much wild til I built them a good fully enclosed run with a nice coop. They've been in that for about a week now and still no eggs so I'm wondering if I post a pic could someone tell me from the pic how old they are and if they are laying age and if not when they might start laying?