Nankin Discussion Thread

[franciscreek]

Im curious how many of the Nankin breeders are going to be at the Pacific Poultry Breeders Association show at Stockton in January. We are offering awards to the Best of Breed, Reserve of Breed, Best of Breed by a youth, Reserve of Breed by a youth, most Nankins shown and the exhibitor traveling the greatest distance.

 

[Micki]

I am new to chickens this year, and have Silver and Golden Laced Wyandottes, and a rooster someone gave me of unknown breed. I am very interested in breeding Nankins, and plan to start doing so in the spring. I've been reading through all of the information here and it's great! Like many others in this thread, I am wanting to find out what standard I should be breeding towards. I am on the list with Lund Poultry for 10 chicks. I am enjoying studying and learning about the breed, and look forward to showing them!

 

[saladin]

If you want Nankins then you need to get them from Mary Ann. Might as well get the best out there. I think she charges $5-6 a chick.

 

[Micki]

Thanks! He said that his flock is from Mary Ann's flock, but I certainly wouldn't mind getting some directly from her too! Does she have a website?

 

[saladin]

No. Just call her and place your order. She'll send them when they hatch and in the order you called her.

MA is easy to deal with. She and I have been good friends for a long time.

 

[saladin]

Mary Ann's Nankins (to my knowledge) have never been beaten at any show she has taken them too.

 

[Micki]

Also, I live in Missouri, just south of St. Louis. I was happy to find Lund Poultry because they will ship chicks. I have never incubated eggs before and really don't want to start with expensive and rare Nankin eggs. If anyone out there is interested in shipping Nankin chicks from good quality bloodlines, I would be very interested in buying some! Or if you live within a few hours drive of St. Louis, I could pick up. Thanks!

 

[Micki]

Thank you, I will give Mary Ann a call. I appreciate the help!

 

[Micki]

I sent an email to Mary Ann and got a response! I can't wait to get my chicks in the spring! I will have fun building little coops and runs for them in the next few months. I'm sure the kids and my husband have been wondering what project i will come up with next, they will soon know! My daughter is very excited about the Nankins and is looking forward to showing them. Hopefully the birds will be feathered out enough that we can hit some shows later in the year.

Saladin, I am so grateful for your advice! I was wondering what to do with the extra chickens, the ones that don't show the correct phenotype. I love your idea of putting the "culls" in a pen together and see what they produce! Like Christmas

. 4H is pretty big just south of us, and if my flock gets going good, maybe I can get some 4H-ers interested in the breed by giving them some chicks to raise. I just think they are beautiful little birds and it would be a terrible shame if they became extinct. I hope to be a positive influence on the breed!

I read thru the entire forum and really appreciate being able to read all the questions and advice from everyone. Many of my questions were answered by just reading what has already been posted. What a great group of people!

 

[saladin]

Birds from Mary Ann will most like all be good type. You might have a cull or two but don't expect many. Now color is a different thing entirely. Say you get 25 chicks. I'd guess that around 7-10 will be better than all the rest. Those are the keepers.

However, let's say you have a pullet that is a cull but her tail color is near perfect (very, very, very hard to come by). She becomes a breeder to a cock that shows what she lacks. So, don't cull to early with this breed. One of those culls might have one thing you need.

What to do with the extras (besides the Christmas pen)? That's up to you. Neither Mary Ann nor myself run a Hospice for chickens. When you hear either one of us say cull, we mean ONLY one thing. Lots of folks may disagree, but since they ain't sending me money for my feed bill ($75 a week); I don't listen. Don't mean to hurt anyone's feelings. That's just how we do things.

It's also the reason the Mary Ann's Nankins are the Best; I raise them, but not in the numbers she does. I concentrate on Orientals; of which, mine are near the top for one reason; I cull.