Nankin bantams

[rick]

Just out of interest for the currently distant future,
Has anyone kept Nankins? Would they be fine in a sheltered covered 10sqM aviary? In winter?
I've seen them in a book I have and they look really good!

 

[Marigold]

I've never seen these. Do they look like your new avatar, Rick?

 

[rick]

That's my hybrid Teabag of course! (mumble, mumble)

No, they look like this (pictures from a google search):



I cant work out if they are still rare - often referred to as endangered but also quite popular.
Apparently they are very friendly (except the cocks in mating season when they get quite aggressive), have blueish legs, wings held low (and thought to be the source of this in other bantam breeds), lay small chalk white eggs (very infrequently)
Very old breed apparently (from India?)
But they also seem to be a poplar pet for children (in America?) and not bothered by reasonable confinement (?)

 

[dinosaw]

They are considered a rare breed apparently considered lost in the UK by the 1960s until a rare breed enthusiast discovered a single large flock in Sussex and started a breeding program. I've never seen one before and there lies the problem, sourcing them in the first place and ensuring they aren't heavily inbred in the second. If you like these Rick then you might want to consider the far more common Sebright which is derived from the Nankin.

 

[rick]

Wow! Sebrights are like jewels!
Think I'm going to generally hunt around for both, maybe start going to some shows to see if I can see some.
Both seem to be reported to mix fairly well with other breeds which is intriguing. I must admit, I would miss an egg or two for breakfast!

 

[dinosaw]

Sebrights are absolutely tiny by the way so I wouldn't mix them with large fowl in a confined space, but there are plenty of bantams out there that lay well.

 

[chickenfan]

Sebrights are vulnerable to Mareks disease and I just wonder about mixing them with vaccinated hybrids, but it may not be an issue. I think you'll want a confident bird Rick to mix with your large fowl. I'm not sure what the Thuringians are like? They are supposed to be very tame and good pets. The sablepoots are confident with large fowl in spite of their small size and don't seem to attract aggression because of their low stance. They seem to lay well too are friendly and enjoy handling.

 

[rick]

Thanks Dinosaw, Chickenfan,
I'm just thinking about future flocks and wouldn't introduce any others to what I have at the moment. I liked the general reports of Nankins being small but not skittish (as is typical of smaller birds) as seemed to be the jist of what I had read. Then again i also like the idea of Welsummers. The clean lines of the Nankins and Sebrights appeal - much as I love Linden, Im not keen on feathered feet on the whole.
I love the look of the game birds but haven't got the space.
(besides the eggs would also miss the cuddliness of a bigger hen - what a dilemma!

 

[dinosaw]

I'm not sure what the Thuringians are like?

The Thuringians are very confident, not phased by the bigger birds and they tolerate confinement well when locked in, I wouldn't hesitate to recommend them. There are 4 of them to a run that is about 11sqm.

 

[dinosaw]

They are pretty decent layers and are also very cuddly if you happen to go in for chicken hugging.

 

[valeriebutterley]

Don't we all go in for chicken hugging?

They are beautiful and elegant birds, Rick, bright as well I expect.

My beautiful almost all time favourite chick - Bob - young Croad cockerel, went yesterday with his brother to a lady who hopes to begin a breeding programme eventually. Last night I had a note from Bob and his new owner with pictures of him and his brother looking like royalty and enjoying the good life, not bad for 14 weeks!!.

He was the most amazing boy, very large and as gentle as can be, since the photos of him and the patio flower pots, I'm sure he has doubled in size.

Wish you well in your search, go for the chickens that really get to you, I have.

 

[chickenfan]

As it happens, Rick, Haytor Reach Poultry in Devon breed Nankins and they are careful reputable breeders. Here's what they say about them:

Today the Nankin is listed as 'critical' by the Rare Breeds Survival Trust-less than 100 breeding females registered in the UK.

During 2010, Haytor Reach sourced hatching eggs from quality stock located all over the British Isles to produce two small unrelated breeding groups of birds with 10 breeding females in total. We consider the Nankin to be of national importance in the history of poultry breeding and will strive to produce quality birds for breeders and families alike, preventing its extinction.

This bantam originated in Asia and was one of the first bantam breeds imported to England as early as the 1700's. Both bantams and large fowl Nankin were imported to Britain at this time but sadly the large fowl fell out of fashion in the middle of the 19th. Century due to its blue/green leg colouring, and is now believed extinct.

Nankin are only found in Buff colouring but can have either a single or rose comb. They were named after the orange/yellow cotton material 'Nankeen', once very much popular in this country for summer wear and are sometimes still known by that name.

The arrival of the Nankin in Britain caused a lot of interest due to its unique Buff colouring which was used to produce the Buff colouring in many breeds. Its compact size is also believed to be the genetic make-up of the Seabright, Britain's only native bantam.

Unfortunately though the Nankins' unique colour and size have proved invaluable in poultry breeding it never really gained the popularity it deserved, people preferring showier breeds.

Day to day the Nankin is a delightful little bird to own. They are intelligent and active, hardy, and easy to keep. Though small in size they still enjoy a free-range lifestyle, or as they can fly, a movable aviary that can be positioned onto fresh grass regularly. These friendly little birds will even eat from your hand if handled from a young age.

Quick Facts:

Ideal avairy Rare Breed.
Good layers of small white eggs.
Some experience needed.
120 Estimated eggs per season.

 

[rick]

Don't we all go in for chicken hugging?

Its compulsory Val!

Yes, I found the Haylor Reach site too Chickenfan. Am tempted to ask them how much they want for eggs (I presume it would be eggs rather than young birds.)

Found this too:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1CHw7PXMRKo

Carol saw this page open and is just about to go on holiday abroad (an event that usually results in more chickens when she returns) but I don't have room!!! (I really don't!!!) Will have to be a long term reason for some homework and window shopping.

 

[chickenfan]

Why don't you ask them how well they would mix with large fowl? Getting a bit late for hatching eggs now.

 

[rick]

No, I'll have to be patient Chickenfan. I've got 9.6 Sq M of floor space plus some split level shelving but realistically that's a comfortable 10 Sq M and just big enough for 5 birds. The 2 Sq M each rule makes sense with their need for personal space visually (an area where a bird can be anonymous if they need to be) and I think that is true for any size of chicken generally. Apparently Nankins like to go everywhere together in a group so their space needs may be a little smaller on their own.
Hatching and having a go at breeding is an exciting idea for the future though.

 

[Marigold]

It sounds as if you'll just have to move house, Rick, to somewhere with more space. It would give you a chance to build a new and even more palatial run, apart from getting some Nankins to populate it.
Seriously, though, it's good that you're able to restrain your interest in getting new birds in the light of what you can offer them. So many people just go on collecting chickens without proper thought for their space needs.